The Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology (CIDM) was established in 1992 to combat the huge cost in human lives, lost productivity, social and economic instability caused by infections.

Preventing, controlling and treating infection can save the health system many millions of dollars every year. Our world-leading research aims to find better ways of controlling new and re-emerging infectious diseases, reducing the burden of hospital- and community-acquired infections, and improving health outcomes.

Diseases we research

  • Potentially fatal infections caused by bacteria and fungi
  • Antibiotic resistance
  • Cryptococcal meningitis

Our research themes include:

  • The causes, diagnosis and treatment of potentially fatal blood and neurological infections caused by bacteria and fungi
  • The origin and spread of antibiotic resistance in gram negative bacteria and its identification in clinical contexts
  • The pathogenesis of cryptococcal meningitis and fungal virulence determinants
  • The transmission dynamics, virulence characteristics and/or global epidemiology of bacterial, viral and fungal pathogens with epidemic or hospital transmission potential, using next generation sequencing and other cutting edge techniques
  • Development and testing of new diagnostics and novel therapeutics
  • Specific bioremediation of the human microflora, using novel plasmid manipulation and bacteriophage therapy techniques

Our research informs public health in NSW, and we play an important part in the Australian and global effort to tackle emerging outbreaks. We provide research training and education programs as well as a range of resources in clinical, epidemiological and laboratory aspects of infectious diseases and microbiology.