Kirby Institute

The Kirby Institute for infection and immunity in society
Formation 1986
Type Medical research institute
Location
Coordinates 33°52′52″S 151°13′16″E / 33.88120°S 151.22123°E / -33.88120; 151.22123
Region served
Australia, Asia-Pacific
Director
 Professor David A. Cooper AO FAA
Affiliations University of New South Wales
Budget
$28.53 million (2012)
Staff
approx. 200
Website www.kirby.unsw.edu.au
Formerly called
 National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research

The Kirby Institute for infection and immunity in society (commonly shortened to the Kirby Institute; formerly the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research) is a medical research organisation affiliated with the University of New South Wales and based in Darlinghurst, New South Wales. Founded in 1986, its initial research focus on HIV/AIDS has expanded over time to include viral hepatitis, blood-borne diseases, and sexually transmitted infections.

The institute's current (and inaugural) director is Professor David A. Cooper.

History

National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (1986–2011)

The National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (NCHECR) was founded in 1986 in response to the emerging HIV/AIDS epidemic in Australia.[1] Start-up funding was provided by the Australian federal government with the goal of reducing the national burden of the epidemic.[2] The centre was later supported by ongoing funding from the federal government, the New South Wales state government and the University of New South Wales, in addition to one-off grants from, among others, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Atlantic Philanthropies.[3]

Kirby Institute (2011–present)

In April 2011, on the organisation's 25th anniversary, the NCHECR was renamed the Kirby Institute for infection and immunity in society, with a new focus on behavioural-related infectious diseases affecting "marginalised, disempowered and other communities".[3] The new name was taken in honour of Michael Kirby, a former Justice of the High Court of Australia and an outspoken supporter of human rights, health promotion, and HIV/AIDS research. In 2013, Kirby accepted the role of Patron of the institute.[4]

In 2011 the Kirby Institute employed approximately 200 researchers[5] and is operating clinical trials in more than 20 countries. Outside of Australia, the institute is engaged in disease prevention in countries including Thailand, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.[6] The Kirby Institute is one of Australia's four national HIV research centres; the others are the Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research, the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), and the National Centre in HIV Social Research.[7]

Research programs

A study of the prevention of anal cancer

In Australia, the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated anal cancer is increasing within the gay community.[8] Professor Andrew Grulich of the Kirby Institute, in association with others, is conducting a longitudinal study of the epidemiology of anal HPV and related abnormalities in a community-based cohort of homosexual men aged 35 and older in Sydney. The study is designed to provide a guide to the possible future introduction of anal cancer screening programs. The study will run from 2010 to 2018.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Offner, Steve (5 April 2011). "The Kirby Institute" (Press release). University of New South Wales. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  2. ↑ "The Kirby Institute Inaugural Symposium". Centre for Research Excellence into Injecting Drug Use. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  3. 1 2 Offner, Steve (3 April 2011). "Australia's national HIV center launches identity as Kirby Institute" (Press release). University of New South Wales. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  4. ↑ Legere, Laurie (18 March 2013). "Michael Kirby accepts the role of Patron of Kirby Institute" (Press release). University of New South Wales. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  5. ↑ "Kirby Institute Annual Report 2011" (PDF). Kirby Institute. 4 April 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "World AIDS Day – how far we’ve come" (Press release). University of New South Wales. 30 November 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "Mid-term Review of the Implementation Plan: National Strategies 2010-2013 for Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections" (PDF). Department of Health, Australian Government. 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  8. ↑ "The Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer (SPANC): design and methods of a three-year prospective cohort study" (PDF). BMC Public Health. 9 October 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "SPANC (Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer)". Kirby Institute, National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and Cancer Council NSW. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
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