The Australian National University and University of Sydney have joined to set up the National Centre for Biosecurity to pool the institutions' expertise in fields such as microbiology, medicine, politics, security and law.

ANU vice-chancellor Professor Ian Chubb said it would sharpen the focus on tackling biosecurity problems.

''East Asia has been the epicentre of biosecurity concerns in the last decade with issues such as SARS and avian influenza,'' he said. ''This collaboration means the ... [centre] is better placed to engage with regional researchers, policy makers and business leaders in helping to solve some of the most pressing problems facing our neighbours.''

The centre is co-located at both universities. Danielle Cronin