BIOTECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH

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2 BIOTECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH Alan Trounson PhD National Stem Cell Centre and Monash Laboratories for Stem Cells and Tissue Repair Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

3 Medical Biotechnology from Mature eg. Commonwealth Serum Laboratories -CSL Pty Ltd to Competitive to Developing The Bionic Ear Institute (cochlear implants) National Synchrotron Facility

4 Medical Research Institutes focus on opportunities for biotechnology in health Walter & Eliza Hall Institute genomics focus Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research oncogenes and cytokine focus Howard Florey Institute neuroscience focus Baker Institute cardiovascular focus Murdoch Children s Research Institute genetic disease focus McFarlane Burnet Institute transmittable disease focus Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development human infertility and development focus

5 Medical Research Institutes focus on opportunities for biotechnology in health Institute for Molecular Biology, University of Queensland genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics in disease focus Queensland Medical Research Institute immunology and vaccination focus Garvan Institute cancer, endocrine, osteoporosis and arthritis and asthma focus Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute heart and vascular disease focus John Curtin School of Medical Research functional genomics, immunity and neuroscience focus

6 Examples of interesting new opportunities in medical biotechnology Cytokines LIF, GMCSF, GCSF Big Pharma HIV DNA vaccination technologies ENU mutagenesis discoveries of gene function phenomics Brain function and behaviour genes, development and environment origins of mental disorders Nanotechnology surveillance of body and tissue function early warning systems

7 National Biotechnology Centre of Excellence - National Stem Cell Centre (NSCC) Multinodal research and commercialisation corporation: Monash, Adelaide, Queensland, NSW Universities Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Howard Florey Institute, Victor Chang Cardiac Institute, Murdoch Children s Research Institute, Garvan Institute Established by: A$43 million Commonwealth Grant (ARC and Biotechnology Australia) A$5.5 million Commonwealth Grant (Dept. Education, Science and Technology) A$10 million Victorian STI Grant

8 NSCC Core Activities Embryonic Stem Cell Research Adult Stem Cell Research Immunology of Transplantation Tissue Engineering

9 New Monash Laboratories for Stem Cells and Tissue Repair Embryonic stem (ES) cell biology ES cell applications in: blood cells and pancreatic cells kidney respiratory function liver function Immunobiology of tolerance and autoimmunity Germ cell biology Tissue bioengineering

10 Global Strategies for Australian Biotechnology Development of interactive networks research and commercialisation National interests likely to rely on accessing US and global markets for product sales partnerships need to be brokered with international research institutes, venture capital providers, big pharma and biotechnology companies Role for Australian Government to co-invest in multinational biotechnology and new medical benefits HIV vaccination, stem cells and cell therapies, neurodegenerative disorders and brain function, immune manipulation for transplantation and autoimmunity

11 Global Strategic Scientific Advisor Promoting linkages between research groups and institutions Collaborative research initiatives, eg. NIH RFAs,, JDRF, Wellcome Foundation, European Community Grants Linking government investments to better utilise resources for productivity, eg. regional initiatives such as Stem Cell Research Encouraging interest from venture capital and other investment vehicles in multinational biotechnology programs and commercialisation opportunities

12 A Personal Role in Innovation in Biotechnology Track record in agriculture commercial animal breeding industries Assisted reproduction a global success story for the delivery of a new and effective medical biotechnology based primarily on the private sector many companies operating clinical IVF services, eg. Monash IVF Pty Ltd (first private IVF service) Pioneer in the development of embryonic stem cells and encouragement of private investment in stem cell technologies, eg. founded ES Cell International Pte Ltd and the NSCC A role in drawing creative resources together to initiate new approaches to agricultural and medical science. Creative thinking ng and smart tools (methods) are the basis for productive research. Finance is needed to drive the critical mass for success