At the Third NACCHO HTLV-1 Workshop held on 4 June 2025 in Alice Springs, Dr Nick Vandegraaff from NRL presented on key developments in HTLV testing, covering assay innovation, improved test accessibility, and the creation of reference materials and quality assurance programs to help address global testing gaps. It was a privilege to share the progress we’ve made in this critical area, with further exciting developments currently underway at NRL.

The workshop also marked the launch of the new Australian Clinical Guidelines on HTLV-1 for Aboriginal Primary Health Care Settings. The guidelines focus on Central Australia where HTLV-1 prevalence is known to be high, and aim to support evidence-based, culturally safe testing, prevention and care. These guidelines recognise the challenges faced in remote Aboriginal communities, including access to breastfeeding alternatives and the need for culturally appropriate support. Discussions also highlighted the critical role of ongoing longitudinal studies in understanding the long-term impact of HTLV-1 on Aboriginal health. The workshop served as a powerful reminder of the importance of continued collaboration, culturally informed care, and sustained investment in research and diagnostic innovation.

To learn more about NACCHO:  NACCHO

To view the guidelines: NACCHO HTLV-1 Guidelines

NRL’s Dr. Melissa John has been awarded $50,000 from the Department of Health and Aged Care through ACH4 to support the development of a fingerstick blood collection device for HTLV-1 diagnostics. This project aims to enhance accessibility and accuracy in HTLV-1 testing, particularly in remote and resource-limited settings. In collaboration with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), the team will explore cost-effective methods to support NRL’s validated HTLV-1 proviral load assay, a Class 3 in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) test designed for clinical monitoring. This initiative aligns with NRL’s broader efforts in HTLV-1 research, including participation in a major longitudinal study and the development of Australia’s first HTLV-1 clinical guidelines. In a major milestone, NRL’s HTLV PVL assay has now been officially added to our NATA scope of accreditation under ISO 15189 as a Class 3 in-house assay – further cementing our commitment to excellence in HTLV-1 diagnostics.

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Nick Vandegraaff joined the NRL as a Senior Scientist in January 2021 and now holds the position of Executive Manager, Clinical and Research Services. He is a PhD qualified virologist with postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School and 15 years commercial experience in the Drug Discovery and In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device [IVD]) sectors. He has a strong background in Microbiology (Virology), Molecular Biology and Cell Biology with extensive Project Leadership/Management experience and an intimate knowledge of the processes and quality frameworks within which IVDs and related software are designed, developed and clinically validated.

Melissa John joined the NRL as a Senior Scientist in September 2022. She has a PhD in Biotechnology from University of Hertfordshire, UK. She has working experience in Japan where she worked with Otsuka Pharmaceutical as a researcher in cancer before moving to Melbourne. She continued her research in cancer drug discovery in Melbourne before joining a medical device company as a product development scientist. She has over 15 years of laboratory experience in molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry and immunology.

Fabian Busby joined the NRL as a Laboratory Technician in 2019 and now supports the St. Vincent’s Institute Biobank and the NRL Research and Development teams. He holds a Master of Biomedical Science from the University of Melbourne for which he received the Parkville Precinct Master’s Thesis Award (2020). Currently, he uses his experience in cell culture, molecular biology techniques, research methods and biobanking process to support multiple research projects and clinical trials across NRL R&D and the SVI Biobank.