10. On Liberty Lessons To Prevent The Next Pandemic

This week, Salvatore Babones is joined by Professor Matt Trau, Professor of Chemistry at The University of Queensland and Deputy Director and co-founder of the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. Trau and his team at the Australian Institute for Bio-engineering and Nanotechnology are at the forefront of The University of Queensland's research into Covid. Having flattened the curve of infections, we need to get on with the task of restoring faith in our society. We can argue back and forth why we weren't better prepared, why we didn't act sooner and why testing was initially slow. However, the question remains: what will it take to get us back to work and back to normal? Just as the September 11 terror attacks led to dramatic upheavals, so will covid change our way of life. It may take a long time to find vaccines and therapeutic solutions. That means diagnostics tools are our best resource. Why then are we swabbing and testing in the same way we were three decades ago? Trau will tell how portable nanotechnologies offer solutions that will allow Australians to function again. These next-generation technologies allow medical professionals to screen and test at the point of care, they give more accurate and quicker results and importantly, will propel us into prosperity in this new world.