Research into the long-term effects of coronavirus and potential links between the disease and unborn babies has received a funding boost from the Victorian government.
Innovation and Medical Research Minister Jaala Pulford on Thursday announced $2.3 million for the Murdoch Children's Research Institute's 'Impact of COVID-19 on Organs' project.
The funds will help scientists investigate cellular mechanisms leading to "long COVID" issues such as fatigue, cognitive difficulties and ongoing breathing problems.
They will also analyse variants from Brazil, India and the United Kingdom to understand the impact of the more infectious strains on the major human organs.
The funding will also allow researchers to get greater insight into the potential transfer of coronavirus to unborn babies, as well as the effects of the virus on placenta.
The money is from the state government's $31 million COVID-19 research fund.
Ms Pulford said Victoria is home to 14 independent medical research institutes, which employ more than 5800 people.
The sector supports more than 30,000 jobs across institutes, universities and industry.
"Victoria is one of the few places in the world where research has been able to continue over the past 12 months, thanks to the work everyone has done to get on top of this wildly infectious virus," Ms Pulford said in a statement.
"The knowledge we're building will help people now and for generations to come."
It comes as Victoria has gone a 55th consecutive day without a locally-acquired case, following 13,951 tests.
There were two new cases in hotel quarantine, bringing the total number of active cases in the state to 19.
More than 4500 Victorians received their COVID-19 vaccine in the 24 hours to Thursday morning.
