Virology
Before the unit was established, early research into viruses in Papua New Guinea started with the slow-growing virus kuru. Since the establishment of the Research Institute, the virology unit had been involved in a number of research projects associated with human diseases such as ARI (acute respiratory illness), DD (diarrhoeal diseases), hepatitis B, Burkitt’s lymphoma and measles. The technique used in isolating and identifying virus is the culture method, whilst ELISA and IFAT (immunofluoresence antibody technique) is used for serologically diagnosing viral infections.
Currently, research is been done into enterovirus (including polio) and arbovirus (including Japanese encephalitis) infections. The laboratory is also designated by WHO as the National Poliomyelitis Laboratory and the Influenza Reference Laboratory.
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