The Virology Unit focuses on prioritized medically important viruses in research, diagnostics, consultations and training fields. The Unit is well known for its roles as a reference laboratory for influenza, dengue, viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D & E), MERS-CoV, HIV-1 & 2, SARS-CoV, Zika, and enteroviruses including poliovirus. The Unit has contributed in the viral diseases outbreaks investigations for the Ministry of Health Malaysia in the past years including COVID-19.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Unit had conducted the test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2. The expertise of WGS and bioinformatics has expanded to various viruses including dengue, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Main research focus areas of the Unit are antiviral development against prioritized viruses, vaccine platform development including inactivated, reverse genetics and protein subunit, whole genome sequencing of viruses with focusing on the latest technologies, point of care testing kit development and improvising of diagnostics tests. In addition, the Unit has been appointed and recognized as the National Influenza Centre (NIC) since 1966 and National Poliovirus Laboratory by World Health Organization.

The Unit also conducts specialized trainings in Virology fields and welcomes any collaborative research on viral infectious diseases nationally and internationally. Furthermore, the Unit actively provides National External Quality Assurance Scheme for HIV-1, Hepatitis B and C serology and External Quality Scheme for influenza and MERS-CoV Molecular testing to other laboratories.