To facilitate this, we provide considerable capabilities for applied research dealing with issues of national and international importance, such as studies of food and water borne pathogens in the food chain and environment. Complimentary to our applied work, IDReC scientists are also providing substantial intellectual contribution to understanding the fundamentals of pathogen evolution and modelling infectious disease dynamics. Taken together, this combination of applied and fundamental research is enhancing the potential to increase and transform our knowledge of the complex interplay between pathogens and communities, which ultimately contributes to practical solutions for managing disease emergence and spread.

OUR PURPOSE
The purpose of IDReC is to strengthen the national capability in infectious disease by providing a substantial source of research, innovation and high quality postgraduate training.  By providing both research and training opportunities, IDReC will ensure that New Zealand is better placed to deal with outbreaks of infectious disease in humans and animals and the changing patterns of endemic disease.  Further, we would like to ensure a more pre-emptive rather than reactive approach to anticipating the consequences of factors such as increasing human and animal movements, habitat degradation and climate change.