Medical imaging technologies, diabetes II treatments, animal health vaccines and biomedical implants are among University of Queensland research activities to receive vital Queensland Government support, announced this week.
Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts Ros Bates announced
science grants to 宅男导航 valued at more than $14.5 million at the 2012 International BIO Conference in Boston, USA.
University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry congratulated 宅男导航鈥檚 recipients and thanked the government for its investment in science and knowledge-based sectors.
鈥淭his is an investment in Queensland鈥檚 future and in researchers whose innovations could lead to advances in some of the critical issues affecting our state, nation and the world,鈥� Professor Terry said from Boston, where she is attending BIO.
鈥溦械己� has a proven record of using government, philanthropic and industry funding to generate returns across the economy.
鈥淲e look forward to exciting outcomes from these newly-funded projects; outcomes that will have broad benefits for human and animal health, food security 鈥� and the economy.鈥�
Speaking at BIO 2012 in Boston, Queensland Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts Ros Bates said the Queensland Government's science funding would boost Queensland's international science credentials and had the capacity to markedly improve the state's economic, employment and lifestyle prospects.
The 13 宅男导航-related projects announced today were:
鈥� Herston Imaging Research Facility (HIRF) and Cancer Molecular Diagnostics - Professor Nicholas Fisk () - Current hospital imaging resources are inadequate for research into human health and disease treatment. This project will provide Queensland researchers and clinicians with access to cutting-edge imaging technologies to observe disease processes in patients. It will support meaningful reform in health care delivery and place Queensland at the global frontier of human imaging research, clinical trials, and patient care. Queensland Government funding for this project is $3.5 million.
鈥� Translating Health Discovery Into Products 鈥� Professor Maree Smith (TetraQ/Health/Science) - For translational projects that develop life science discoveries, such as vaccines, into commercial products. These will deliver tangible commercial returns within five years and enable the facility to become a self-sustaining resource for Queensland. Queensland Government funding for this project is $2 million.
鈥� Queensland-Pfizer Drugs for Diabetes - Professor David Fairlie () 鈥� To develop new treatments for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases threaten the lives and quality of life of many Queenslanders, impacting on health and economic prosperity. Queensland Government funding for this project is $2 million.
鈥� Breeding Better Beef Cattle Using Genomics 鈥� Professor Michael Holland () - This project aims to integrate research to address key knowledge gaps and technological impediments restricting the uptake of genomic techniques, with the outcome to improve female fertility in the Queensland beef industry. Queensland Government funding for this project is $1.5 million.
鈥� Biologics Facility 鈥� Professor Peter Gray () - Funding will support partnership between the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and private company DSM. The partnership is set to provide a new biologics scale-up facility for Brisbane. Worldwide sales of biologic drugs exceeded US$92 billion in 2009. Queensland Government funding for this project is $1.2 million.
鈥� New Vaccines for Improved Animal Health 鈥� Dr Neena Mitter and Dr Tim Mahony () - A project on single dose, shelf stable vaccines targeting major cattle diseases. It will address current vaccination drawbacks and increase productivity in extensive beef enterprises. Queensland Government funding for this project is $1 million.
鈥� Ecogenomics of Queensland Sugarcane Soils - Professor Mark Ragan () - To profile genetic and metabolic capabilities of microbial communities in sugarcane soils, and develop strategies, products and services for sustainable bioproduction and land use. Queensland Government funding for this project is $672,500.
鈥� Cell Lines For the Future 鈥� Prof Peter Gray () - This project will link the mammalian cell line development expertise existing in the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology with DSM Biologics鈥� expertise in production. The partnerships will deliver an exciting class of therapeutics based upon the production of clinical amounts of protein. Queensland Government funding for this project is $485,000.
鈥� The Core of Life 鈥� Ms Victoria Turner () 鈥� Support for stem cell core facilities is essential to maximise outcomes in this rapidly evolving field, which holds the promise of ultimately providing transplantation therapies for the treatment of a myriad of diseases. Stem Cells Ltd was recently incorporated in Queensland and will use extensive expertise, along with state-of-art platforms and facilities. Queensland Government funding for this project is $470,000.
鈥� Strategies to Predict Type 2 Diabetes Risk 鈥� Dr Kate Schroder () - For developing techniques for early identification of children at risk to developing Type II diabetes. Various intervention strategies will be assessed in combating obesity-induced conditions. Type II diabetes is one of the fastest growing preventable diseases in the State. Queensland Government funding for this project is $360,000.
鈥� Bioplatforms Australia/Metabolomics Australia 鈥� Professor Lars Nielsen () 鈥� Provided to leverage funds from the Commonwealth Government, which will allow the Metabolomics unit to continue its operation at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN). The Queensland node of Metabolomics Australia provides services in fields such as biology, medicine, plant and industrial biotechnology. Queensland Government funding for this project is $250,000.
鈥� Titanium-Based Metallic Glass Alloys 鈥� Dr Ming Yan (Mechanical and Mining Engineering) 鈥� For developing novel titanium-based biomedical implants with much-improved and desired performance over current options. The research outcomes will directly contribute to the better health of Queenslanders who will need bone structure (knee, hip and spinal) replacement operations and facilitate the creation of a new business in the State. Queensland Government funding for the project is $180,000
鈥� Plastics Development and Manufacture 鈥� Mr Richard Marshall (, a science start-up company from 宅男导航鈥檚 main technology transfer company, Uniquest based on 10 years of 宅男导航 research by Professor Darren Martin at the School of Chemical Engineering and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology) 鈥� Based at St Lucia, the nanotech plastics company will innovate high volume applications, including wastewater treatment equipment, next-generation engineering components and the 鈥榳orld鈥檚 most advanced high performance sports equipment鈥�. Aims are to increase productivity and profitability in manufacturing, mining, natural resources, clean energy and water sectors. Queensland Government funding for this project is $925,000.
Media: Jan King 0413 601 248
