The groundbreaking Brisbane research team that developed a world-first vaccine against cervical cancer is on the cusp of another breakthrough – a cure for genital herpes.

Led by immunologist Professor Ian Frazer, the team is currently undertaking the first human trials of the vaccine, which has proven to both prevent and cure the highly infectious sexually transmitted infection in laboratory tests on animals.

Professor Ian Frazer in Brisbane. Credit:Paul Harris

"This vaccine has something quite different driving it," said Professor Frazer, a former Australian of the Year.

"The sort of immune response you make should not only protect against future infection but get rid of the infection if you've already got it."