Join us for the NHMRC TB CRE Satellite Symposium 2026 - Spotlight on TB clinical and fundamental research in Queensland, hosted by ACTnet and the TB Centre for Research Excellence (TB CRE), in partnership with The University of Sydney, the University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Metro South Health and the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre.

This event will bring together leading experts to explore the evolving landscape of tuberculosis (TB) research and clinical practice. Spanning drug discovery to public health, the program will highlight breakthroughs in molecular diagnostics, whole-genome sequencing, and novel therapeutic compounds.

Key sessions will address critical challenges, including outbreak investigations within First Nations communities, paediatric TB, and global case-finding initiatives in the Indo-Pacific.

By connecting local and national TB researchers and clinicians, this symposium fosters collaboration and the exchange of ideas to strengthen TB research and care.

Date: Tuesday 18th August 2026

Time: 7:45 am – 4:30 pm

Location: Translational Research Institute Auditorium Woolloongabba, Brisbane

PROGRAM

Time	Tuesday 18 August 2026	Speaker	Duration
7:45 am	Coffee & Registration
8:15 am	Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country	Andrew Burke, Antje Blumenthal	5 min
8:20 am	TB-CRE Overview	Greg Fox	10 min
SESSION 1: Innovations in TB Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention_1 Chair: Matt Twining
8:30 am	Innovations in TB diagnosis	Mark Blaskovich	20 min
8:50 am	Characterization of A Novel Class of Antimycobacterial Leads	Esabel Roncon	20 min
9:10 am	Biomarkers for Mtb Infection	Geoff Eather	20 min
9:30 am	TB Treatment Advances – In the Clinic	Richard Turner	20 min
9:50 am	Panel discussion	Chair facilitates	10 min
10:00-10:30	Morning Tea		*30 min*
SESSION 2: Innovations in TB Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention_2 Chair: Bridget O’Connor
10:30 am	Advancing The Development of Improved TB Vaccines	Andreas Kupz	20 min
10:50 am	Immune Signatures for TB Detection and Disease Characterisation in Balimo, PNG	Catherine Rush	20 min
11:10 am	Novel Therapeutic Approaches	Nick West	20 min
11:30 am	Advances in TB Diagnostics - Insights from Qld	Chris Coulter	20 min
11:50 am	Panel discussion	Chair facilitates	10 min
12:00–13:00	Lunch		60 min
SESSION 3: TB Transmission and Control in Australia Chair: Chris Coulter
1:00 pm	TB Outbreak in Central Qld	Jemma Taylor	20 min
1:20 pm	Qld Outbreak Investigations	Catherine White	20 min
1:40 pm	Whole Genome Sequencing for TB Transmission Tracking in NSW	Ben Marais	20 min
2:00 pm	Community Engagement in Primary Care to Support Targeted TB Infection Screening for Priority Populations in Australia	Madhumati Chatterji	20 min
2:20 pm	Panel discussion	Chair facilitates	10 min
2:30 – 3:00	Afternoon Tea		30 min
SESSION 4 TB Host Interactions and Regional Engagement Chair: Carmen Mathmann
3:00 pm	Host-microbiome-interactions in TB	Antje Blumenthal	20 min
3:20 pm	Australian-New Zealand Guideline for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring during Tuberculosis Treatment	Vicky Grey	20 min
3:40 pm	Modelling TB Epidemics	Emma McBryde	20 min
4:00 pm	Clinical Trials for TB Treatment and Prevention	Greg Fox	20 min
4:20 pm	Panel discussion	Chair facilitates	10 min
4:30 pm	Close

Kate Nguyen

TB CRE Manager, on behalf of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Tuberculosis Control

Email: tbcre.support@sydney.edu.au

Website: https://www.tbcre.org.au

Contact the host of NHMRC TB CRE Satellite Symposium 2026