Marking World Tuberculosis Day, University of Sydney researchers are stepping up efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB), leading a major program that spans Australia and the Asia-Pacific and targets the persistent drivers of transmission.

The initiative brings together Faculty of Medicine and Health and Faculty of Science researchers working across the Infectious Diseases Institute, Sydney Vietnam Institute and the Sydney South East Asia Centre, combining prevention, research and on-the-ground partnerships, combining local action with regional collaboration to disrupt the cycles that continue to fuel the disease.

By embedding interventions within scientifically rigorous research, the programs are designed to deliver immediate benefits to participating communities while also generating the evidence needed to inform global policy and practice.

The work spans the full translational pipeline – from discovery science and clinical trials through to health systems research and community-led implementation – positioning the University at the forefront of efforts to end one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases.  

Early detection and prevention at the forefront

Eliminating TB in Australia begins with understanding how it spreads. Researchers are using advanced genomic tools to track transmission and guide public health responses.  
 
New South Wales became the first jurisdiction in the world to implement routine whole genome sequencing in 2016, led by Professor Vitali Sintchenko from Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute (Sydney ID). Researchers including Dr Xiaomei Zhang and PhD student Ellen Donnan (Head of the NSW TB control program) have been central to advancing this implementation.  
 
Across the Asia-Pacific region, University of Sydney teams are delivering expansive research programs in Vietnam, Cambodia and the Pacific. Working closely with local communities, these initiatives aim to diagnose TB earlier and prevent its spread.  
 
Recent research also reframed how TB is understood and addressed. In a paper published in the Lancet Global Health, Dr Emily Maclean, Associate Professor Sarah Bernays and Professor Ben Marais examined tuberculosis through a complex system lens, highlighting the shared responsibility of decision makers in ending the disease.  
 
“The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2025 shows that the world is off track to achieve End TB or Sustainable Development Goal targets,” said Professor Ben Marais, Director of Sydney ID.  
 
“What is missing for TB control is not necessarily new scientific knowledge, but political re-imagination and will,” he said. “Implementing creative strategies at scale is essential to avoid another decade of inadequate progress.”

Driving innovation in vaccines and treatments 

Alongside prevention efforts, University of Sydney researchers are advancing new approaches to TB vaccines and treatments. Understanding how lung damage occurs is critical to improving vaccine development and therapeutic strategies.  
 
From designing molecules that kill TB using new mechanisms to translating discoveries into safer, shorter and more effective treatments, researchers are driving innovation across the pipeline.  
 
A new biotechnology company emerging from the University is helping accelerate this work. Vaxosome Pty Ltd, founded by researchers from Sydney ID, is developing an innovative new mRNA vaccine for TB, which combines multiple TB antigens into a single lipid nanoparticle, enabling the immune system to recognise several components of the pathogen simultaneously. 
 
Co-founder Professor Jamie Triccas said the work represents a major step toward real-world impact.  
 
“Tuberculosis remains the leading cause of death from a single infectious pathogen,” he said. “Our approach is to deliver multiple TB antigens within a single mRNA-lipid nanoparticle formulation, allowing the immune system to recognise several stages of infection. This support enables us to translate years of research into a platform with real potential for global health impact.”

Clinical trials and global partnerships

The University’s clinical trials team in Vietnam is also contributing to global efforts to end TB, working in partnership with international research networks and national programs.  
 
Led by Professor Greg Fox and Professor Thu Anh Nguyen, this work supports Vietnam’s National Tuberculosis Program by delivering high-quality studies that translate evidence into practice, strengthen local research capacity and generate global impact. 
 
Professor Greg Fox emphasised the importance of collaboration in driving progress. “Our team is partnering with major trials networks to develop new evidence that changes clinical practice in Australia and globally.” 
 
Experts say that ending tuberculosis will require early detection at scale, particularly in community settings, alongside the development of safer and more effective prevention and treatment strategies.