Welcome to SEIB/SIBRN online
The Sydney Institute for Emerging Infections and Biosecurity (SEIB) is a multidisciplinary institute, which incorporates the Sydney branch of the
National Centre for Biosecurity.
SEIB was established in 2010 in response to the risk posed to humans and animals by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including HIV, avian and H1N1 influenza, SARS, Hendra virus, drug-resistant tuberculosis and other drug-resistant infections.
The Sydney Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity Network (SIBRN) was established in 2012 as part of a University of Sydney initiative to improve cross-faculty collaboration. It involved the creation of two additional hubs outside of Medicine and Veterinary Sciences, one within Biological Sciences and one within the Humanities, to increase the scope of SEIB's activities.
Our Vision
We are committed to facilitate research and knowledge exchange for improved understanding of the complex interactions that fuel the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. We aspire to combat and lessen the resultant health and socioeconomic impacts, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. We support multi-disciplinary and cross-faculty initiatives that unlock novel research angles and creative management approaches. We encourage a comprehensive approach to biosecurity, which includes food and water safety/security and ecological integrity/sustainability.
Our Aims
1. Creating and sustaining a vibrant academic community
- To support and link people within the academic community with a shared interest in emerging infectious diseases, biosecurity and LIFE in general
- To create a space for enthusiastic and critical enquiry where existing boundaries are challenged and novel links explored
- To create a platform for cross-discipline collaboration and building of new partnerships
2. Doing and encouraging excellent research
- To assist the development of competitive research protocols and infrastructure grants that secure access to adequate local and international funding
- To build a track record of research excellence and innovation, at multiple levels including: basic science discovery, clinical, epidemiological and pragmatic operations research, emphasizing the importance of socio-cultural and environmental context
3. Increasing capacity through education and partnership
- To assist with the development of accredited academic training programmes
- To share knowledge and support training to improve service delivery levels
- To assist national and international bodies with supervisory and capacity building activities, as well as the development of expert guidance documents
4. Communication and advocacy
- To provide an independent, expert resource for government & relevant professional bodies
- To communicate effectively about infectious disease risks and advocate for actions that will reduce these risks
Our people
SEIB’s membership includes academics, researchers and students from the basic, biological and social sciences, including professional schools on the University’s Westmead, Camperdown and Camden campuses and the Central, Nepean, Northern and Western Clinical Schools of the Sydney Medical School; collaborating partners from Australian and international academic institutions; and international organisations, business and the community. See our people for more details.
Regional and other partnerships
Members of SEIB work with partners in China, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Thailand, Vietnam and Uganda and are developing partnerships with Singapore and Malaysia.
The World Health Organization is a key partner, especially the Western Pacific (WPRO) and South East Asian (SEARO) Regional Offices.
Other partnerships include the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD), Swiss Tropical Institute (STI) and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). Please view our partnerships page.