Flinders researchers have their sights set on developing new methods to detect a common and highly infectious form of gastro.

Human norovirus causes rapid onset and explosive vomiting and diarrhoea, with an estimated 1.8 million cases in Australia each year.

Associate Professor Jillian Carr will use new technology at the Flinders Cell Screen SA facility to establish a method for growing live norovirus, before adapting this to screen samples for risk posed of transmitting the infection.

Current effective tests can show the presence of the virus, but not whether a patient is still a risk of passing on an infection.

This research could have huge benefits for hospitals in particular, where the infection can be life-threatening for patients with other illnesses. Outbreaks are also known to cause significant disruption to the health system, and this work could significantly assist infection control procedures by helping to conclusively clear patients and areas of the virus.

This research is made possible thanks to a generous supporter and donations from the community.

Project title: Establishment of a laboratory culture system for human norovirus and adaptation for a high-throughput screening technique

Lead researcher: Associate Professor Jill Carr