2012 - Biomedical Research Victoria

Annual Report 2011/2012
Contents
Section 1 Overview
Vision & Mission
2
Objectives & Strategic Themes
2
Highlights 2011-2012
3
Members of the Bio21 Cluster
4
Chairman’s Report
5
CEO Report 6
Reflection from Outgoing CEO
7
Section 2 Activities Under Strategic Themes
Member Representatives of the Scientific Advisory Council
8
Scientific Advisory Council – Report from the Chair
9
Presentations to the SAC
11
Hospital Research Directors Forum 12
Victorian Clinician Researcher Network
13
Business Development Managers Forum
13
Translational Research: The Melbourne Summit
14
Nano in Medicine Symposium
15
NoLIMITS Symposium
15
Innovating for Victoria’s Health Expo 16
Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research
18
Gender Equity in Scientific Research
18
Victorian Platform Technologies Network Report
19
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program Report
22
Bio21 Cluster Political Intern Program
25
Section 3 Organisation & Governance
Members of the Board
26
Statement of Financial Position
32
Organisational Structure
33
1
Section 1 Overview
Vision &
Mission
Vision
The Bio21 Cluster will facilitate solutions to major
health problems through the collaboration and
innovation of its Members.
Mission
The Bio21 Cluster will support its Members to address
key scientific and health-related issues beyond the reach
of any individual organisation. Via research, education
and healthcare, the Bio21 Cluster will facilitate
collaborative programs to foster basic and translational
research, with the potential to solve major health
problems and deliver social and economic benefits.
Objectives & Strategic
Themes
Objectives
■To support an environment that facilitates collaborative
research and tackles major problems that require diverse
skill sets and resources
■To improve the interaction between basic research and
its translation to support delivery of evidence-based
and cost-effective health care services of the highest
standard
■To encourage development of biomedical and health
innovations with commercial potential
■To encourage students to seek careers in biomedical
research, its translation and commercialisation
■To provide high level advice, advocacy and response to
issues of significance for and to its Members
Strategic Themes
■Forums for Developing Ideas and Collaborations
The Cluster’s ability to bring together Members and others
in a variety of forums and to provide symposia on relevant
emerging scientific topics, is pivotal to identifying new
opportunities and achieving collaborative goals.
■ Collaborative Resources and Platform Technologies
Historically, the Bio21 Cluster came together to support
development of a series of collaborative projects that
provided critical infrastructure to serve Members and the
sector more broadly. The benefits from those investments
have been enhanced by the development of the Victorian
Platform Technologies Network.
■ Capability Building via Education and Training
Goals under this theme are to facilitate career development
opportunities for students, researchers and others. The flagship
program is the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
(UROP), a scheme that aims to capture the best and brightest
young minds to biomedical research.
■Profile, Outcomes, One Voice
The Bio21 Cluster represents a collection of some of the
nation’s most important biomedical research organisations.
Its collaborative nature and regular face-to-face meetings
give it the opportunity to act as a think tank, identify
forward-thinking, strategic goals for the sector and devise
ways of achieving them.
2 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
Highlights 2011-2012
■
New CEO, Associate Professor Jan Tennent, appointed
■
Health
and Medical Research Expo ‘Innovating for Victoria’s Health’
held at Victorian Parliament
■
Dr
Roland Scollay appointed Chair of the Scientific Advisory Council
■
Inaugural
Bio21 Cluster Political Intern, Dr Krystal Evans, appointed
■
Hospital
Research Directors Forum (HRDF) staged the Melbourne
Summit on Translational Research, bringing together overseas, local
and interstate experts
■
HRDF
Chair, Professor Ingrid Winship, appointed to Bio21 Cluster
Board
■
Appointment
of a co-ordinator for the Victorian Clinician Researcher
Network
■
Clinician
researcher ‘Needs Analysis’ survey attracted over 1000
responses
■
Dr
Michelle Zajac appointed as Manager of the Undergraduate
Research Opportunities Program (UROP)
■
The
number of placements in UROP passed 400
■
Victorian
Minister for Technology, Hon Gordon Rich-Phillips MLC,
2011 Australian of the Year, Mr Simon McKeon AO, and
Federal Member for Melbourne, Deputy Leader of the Greens,
Mr Adam Bandt MP, addressed the UROP Conference
■
Former
UROP student, Dr Elena Tucker, received a Commendation
in the 2012 Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research
■
Bio21
Cluster associates awarded: Professor Peter Blamey
(Bionics Institute) received an ATSE Clunies Ross Award;
Professor Geoffrey Donnan (FNI) and Mr Simon McKeon
(UROP Patron) were made Officers of the Order of Australia
3
Members of the Bio21
Cluster as at 30 June 2012
Founding Members:
■ Melbourne Health 12
■ The University of Melbourne 6
■ The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research 10
General Members:
■ Austin LifeSciences 21
■ Bionics Institute 2
■ CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering 17
■ Florey Neuroscience Institutes 7
■ Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research 11
■ Mental Health Research Institute 19
■ Murdoch Childrens Research Institute 15
■ NICTA – Victoria Research Laboratory 9
■ Orygen Youth Health Research Centre 20
■ Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre 1
■ St Vincent’s Health 3
■ St Vincent’s Institute 4
■ The Royal Women’s Hospital 13
■ Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Monash University (Parkville Campus) 18
Associate Members:
■ Cancer Council Victoria 5
■ Cancer Trials Australia 14
■ Neurosciences Victoria Ltd 8
■ The Royal Children’s Hospital 16
■Victorian Comprehensive Cancer
Centre 22
4 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
Chairman’s Report
This has been a year of transition for the Cluster as we
farewelled our long term CEO, Stella Clark, who has started
her own consulting business, and Executive Assistant Paula
Misiewicz, who has retired. Stella and Paula were the team
upon which much of the Cluster’s success was built. They
depart with our grateful thanks.
The Cluster is delighted to welcome Jan Tennent as our new
CEO and Hollie Munro as Executive Assistant. Jan, who is a
Microbiologist by training, has had a distinguished career in
the public and private sector, having spent significant periods
with CSIRO, CSL and Pfizer Animal Health. Jan’s experience,
her extensive networks and her strategic thinking are already
proving to be extremely valuable to the Cluster.
Following the threat last year to funding for medical research
and with a new Victorian Government in place, the Cluster
organised an exhibition of health and medical research in
Parliament House. It outlined the human, economic and
reputational value of Victoria’s health and medical research
activities. The Expo, which was opened by the Minister for
Innovation, Services and Small Business, The Hon Louise Asher
MLA, attracted a significant number of parliamentarians and
was a great success.
The visual displays comprising the Expo are being utilised by
Cluster Members and others to promote public awareness
of the importance of the sector and a series of follow
up meetings with key parliamentarians and their staff is
underway. In addition, the Cluster has created the first of what
we hope will be a series of political internships, where gifted
graduate students are able to work in a Parliamentarian’s
office where they assist in developing health and medical
research policies and help forge links between politicians and
the sector.
With the termination of the Biosciences Victoria Collaborative,
the Victorian Government Departments of Business and
Innovation and Health have encouraged the Cluster to
consider taking on a state-wide responsibility. The Board has
considered the pros and cons and the practical difficulties
of such a change and has encouraged the CEO to assess the
feasibility of expanding the Cluster and define the steps that
would be required. Initial discussions with the Founding
Members and a number of potential new members have been
encouraging.
One of the most important issues affecting the Cluster’s
Members is the Strategic Review of Health and Medical
Research, being conducted by the Federal Government and
chaired by Simon McKeon, AO. The Cluster made a submission
to the review, on behalf of its Members, that stressed the
importance of career pathways for research scientists, the
need to facilitate movement of scientists between the
research, industry and health care sectors and the need for
Governments to support the indirect costs of basic research
and hospital-based clinical research. An abstract and the
entire submission can be viewed at mckeonreview.org.au
(submissions 305a and 305b).
The concept of establishing one or more Advanced Health
Research Centres in Victoria, where research, teaching
and clinical care are more closely combined, is gathering
momentum. A consortium of teaching hospitals and medical
research institutes affiliated with Monash University has been
established and a CEO appointed. North of the Yarra, a similar
grouping of organisations affiliated with the University of
Melbourne has been meeting regularly to make a collective
bid when the ground rules are established. The Bio21 Cluster
has been invited to become a member of the steering group
of this latter consortium. Informal discussions have taken
place between the two consortia to ensure that whenever
possible, the themes pursued will be synergistic.
As in the past, much of the work of the Cluster is performed
through its major committees. During the year Professor Jock
Findlay, who for four years has chaired the Scientific Advisory
Committee with distinction and geniality, retired. The Cluster
has been fortunate to attract Dr Roland Scollay as his successor.
Roland is a distinguished Immunologist, who has worked in
senior academic and industry roles in Australia and the United
States. During the year, the Cluster filled a casual vacancy
by appointing Professor Ingrid Winship, Chair of the Hospital
Research Directors Forum, to the Board. This means that each
of the Board’s major committees is now chaired by a Board
Member. Dr Graeme Woodrow is moving to a part-time role
within CSIRO, and will not be standing for re-election to the
Bio21 Cluster Board. Graeme has been a great support to the
Board and Management and a major contributor, through his
role as chair of the Audit Committee. We wish him well in the
next phase of his career.
I would like to thank the staff of the Cluster and my
fellow Board Members, especially the chairs of our major
committees, Roland Scollay, Ingrid Winship and Graeme
Woodrow, for their contributions over the past year.
Ian Gust
Chair
5
CEO Report
kuh-lab-uh-rey-shuhn
No matter how you pronounce it, the Bio21 Cluster does
collaboration well!
A fine example was the ‘Innovating for Victoria’s Health’
Health and Medical Research Expo which the Cluster hosted
at Parliament House in May 2012. The support of the Hon
Louise Asher MLA was instrumental to the success of the
Expo, which showcased the innovation, capability and positive
impact of biomedical research being undertaken by over 70
organisations!
The vibrant Expo addressed the themes of ‘saving lives and
improving wellbeing’, ‘economic benefit to Victoria’ and
‘Victoria on the world stage’ and proved to be an interesting
and well conceived backdrop against which the Cluster was
able to engage with parliamentarians and members of the
public. Many were surprised by the breadth and amount of
research on display and all were impressed by the fact that
Victoria’s health and medical research sector, while only 2% of
the workforce, contributes 4% of the State’s productivity. The
guidance provided by the SAC in the selection of exemplars
to demonstrate how research improves health across Victoria
and supports our sector’s global competitiveness, was key
to the success of the Expo, as was the artful coordination by
Penny Fannin of the expertise, effort and enthusiasm brought
to the task by our terrific strategic communications colleagues
from Member organisations and others.
Operating collaboratively with Monash University (Southern
node), the Bio21 Cluster node of the Victorian Platform
Technologies Network (VPTN) has successfully built an
integrated infrastructure program of 69 facilities across
25 different organisations spanning research precincts in
Parkville, East Melbourne, Heidelberg and Bundoora. The
VPTN, and the comprehensive database of expertise,
capabilities and advanced technology resources that underpins
the network, has come to be regarded as a key resource in
the Victorian research and biotechnology landscape, able to
deliver training to facility managers, identify means to support
and develop core facilities and, most importantly, to improve
the access to platform technologies and infrastructure by
industry and academic researchers. The Cluster looks forward
to continuing its vital role in securing a bright and exciting
future for the VPTN to the benefit of organisations on both
sides of the user/facility relationship.
Driven by a desire to inspire our future health innovators and
research leaders, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Program (UROP) has gone from strength to strength as it
continues to facilitate early-stage biomedical and clinical
research experiences for Victoria’s brightest undergraduates,
with a view to encouraging them to choose a research career.
6 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
Central to UROP’s success has been the commitment of its
two Principal Sponsors, CSL and the VLSCI, coupled with the
ongoing support of those organisations and research leaders
who offer UROP placements. An ongoing challenge is the
identification of research placements to meet the growing
demand of eligible and interested students. To this end, the
Cluster calls on its colleagues to either redouble their current
commitment or to become involved for the first time in the
exciting prospect of supporting today’s outstanding students
to develop the skills and passion to undertake a career in
health and medical research tomorrow.
This year the Bio21 Cluster launched a promising new
initiative – the Political Intern Program – which provides an
opportunity for an early-career postgraduate research scientist
to gain an understanding of the political and parliamentary
processes, while simultaneously enabling a parliamentarian
to receive background information and advice on current
issues in health and medical research. The goals of this
program, which is hoped will establish strong links between
members of parliament and the health and medical research
community, align with the Cluster’s agenda to promote
and raise awareness about the many life enhancing and
economically important benefits that come from health and
medical research.
Preparing the Bio21 Cluster submission to the Strategic
Review of Health and Medical Research headed up by Mr
Simon McKeon AO, was an interesting and informative way
for me to get to know many Members and to hear first-hand
about the issues that affect their ability to do world-class
research and to translate the outcomes of that endeavour to
the benefit of Australian and global communities. While the
diversity of the Cluster’s membership ensured that our
submission included views from academic, research institute
and clinical perspectives, some common themes emerged
including: the imperative for Governments to fund the indirect
costs of research wherever it is undertaken; and the need for
more well defined and secure career pathways for researchers
that recognise and reflect the impact of their work.
Notably, the Cluster’s submission to the McKeon Review was
also informed by the findings of an online survey of doctors,
nurses and allied health professionals engaged in clinical
research, conducted by the Victorian Clinician Researcher
Network (VCRN). Covering 16 public and private Victorian
hospitals, the survey was championed by VCRN co-convenors
Associate Professors Harriet Hiscock and Andrew Wilson and
was the first multisite survey of its kind in Australia and one of
the largest and broadest undertaken anywhere in the world.
Approximately 75% of the 1027 respondents were ‘research
active’ and 50% of these said that the most critical element
of support that would facilitate their research was protected
research time. The insights gained from this landmark survey
are considerable and will assist the Cluster, the VCRN and the
Hospital Research Directors Forum to raise awareness of, and
advance solutions to, some of the impediments to realising
the benefits of translational research.
Considering the small size of the Cluster, this year has
certainly been remarkable in terms of staff turnover. We’ve
farewelled both Stella Clark and Paula Misiewicz and I take
this opportunity to acknowledge their fantastic individual and
joint efforts in the Cluster’s past achievements and in securing
its position with its many stakeholders. Tam Nguyen and Kitty
Cho also left the Cluster to pursue other opportunities, having
played important roles in the UROP and VCRN, respectively.
Joining the Bio21 Cluster team as CEO in January 2012, it is
my distinct pleasure to now be working alongside Elizabeth
Johnson, Gerard Gibbs, Michelle Zajac, Debbie Dorfan, Kay
Ledgerwood and the newest member of the team, Hollie
Munro, to deliver the objectives of the Bio21 Cluster.
Reflection from
Outgoing CEO
As I think back to my first days with the Bio21 Cluster in
late 2002, I remember being in a room with a few boxes
transferred from a previous office representing, more or
less, the sum total of the Cluster. I think it would be fair to
say that from then to now has seen a transformation from
Zero to Hero!! Although at times we are better recognised
internationally and nationally, than at home.
We may not have had much in that first office but Professor
David Penington (Chair for the first 7 years) and I had big
plans to expand the membership and successfully invest the
Victorian Government’s Science, Technology Infrastructure
(STI) Bio21 Project funds, which were the key goals of the
first year or so. These goals were both successfully realised
and the list of achievements since 2002 is impressive, due to
the willingness of Bio21 Cluster Members to contribute time
and expertise and the implementation skills of the wonderful
Bio21 Cluster staff.
Two of the most important Bio21 Cluster activities that
have had broad impact are the Undergraduate Research
Opportunities Program (UROP) and the Victorian Platform
Technologies Network (VPTN).
What makes the Bio21 Cluster and its projects so successful?
As with much in life, it is the people that are the most
important component; a willingness to share ideas and put
aside institutional allegiances for a common good. I wish Jan
and the Bio21 Cluster team, every success for the future.
Stella Clark PhD
Although I am still in the process of meeting with the
Directors of each Member organisation, I would like to thank
those that I have caught up with for the frank and constructive
feedback about the value of the Cluster to their organisation
and its ongoing role in promoting collegiality and catalysing
opportunities that support health and medical research. I am
also grateful for the confidence of the Board and, in particular,
the ready and wise advice of Ian Gust and Roland Scollay.
I look forward to an exciting year ahead and to guiding the
Cluster as it explores new opportunities, delivers on key
undertakings and expands its sphere of influence across
research, clinical outcomes, education and infrastructure, to
the benefit of the entire community.
Jan Tennent
CEO
7
Section 2 Activities Under Strategic Themes
THEME
Forums for
developing ideas
and collaborations
Member Representatives
Professor Neville Yeomans, Austin Health
Professor Peter Blamey, Bionics Institute
Dr Tim Adams, CSIRO - Materials Science and Engineering
Professor Geoffrey Donnan, Florey Neuroscience Institutes
Dr Matthias Ernst, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Professor Colin Pouton, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus) (to May 2012)
Professor Nigel Bunnett, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus)
(from June 2012)
Professor Ingrid Winship, Melbourne Health
Member Representatives
of the Scientific Advisory
Council
Professor Jock Findlay, Chair (to April 2012)
Professor Trevor Kilpatrick, Melbourne Health
Professor Colin Masters, Mental Health Research Institute
Professor Andrew Sinclair, Murdoch Childrens Research
Institute
Professor Justin Zobel, NICTA - Victoria Research Laboratory
(to April 2012)
Dr Roland Scollay, Chair (from April 2012)
Professor Terry Caelli, NICTA - Victoria Research Laboratory
(from May 2012)
Dr Stella Clark, CEO, Bio21 Cluster (to December 2011)
Associate Professor Jane Burns, Orygen Youth Research Centre
Associate Professor Jan Tennent, CEO, Bio21 Cluster
(from January 2012)
Professor Ricky Johnstone, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Dr Elizabeth Johnson, Projects Manager, Bio21 Cluster
Professor Lex Doyle, Royal Women’s Hospital
(from June 2012)
Dr Gerard Gibbs, VPTN Node Manager, Bio21 Cluster
Professor Richard Fox, St Vincent’s Health (to May 2012)
Professor Richard MacIsaac, St Vincent’s Health
(from June 2012)
Professor Tom Kay, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research
(to May 2012)
Professor Michael Parker, St Vincent’s Institute of Medical
Research (from May 2012)
Professor Arthur Shulkes, The University of Melbourne
Professor Tony Bacic, The University of Melbourne
Professor David Huang, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of
Medical Research
Professor Phil Hodgkin, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of
Medical Research
Co-opted Members
Dr Andrew Milner, Neurosciences Victoria Ltd
Professor Graham Brown, Nossal Institute for Global Health
Professor James Best, The University of Melbourne
Professor Peter Ebeling, The University of Melbourne,
Department of Medicine (Western Health)
8 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
Scientific Advisory Council - Report from the Chair
Cluster executive, and included very significant effort on the
part of communications and outreach staff from the
Cluster’s Member organisations, largely recruited to the job
by the SAC representatives. It was a fantastic team effort and
demonstrated the resources the Cluster can pull together to
achieve an outcome of collective benefit.
During the year the SAC supported the new CEO in producing
a submission to the Strategic Review of Health and Medical
Research in Australia and in developing relationships with key
people including Simon McKeon and key politicians.
Representatives from each of the Bio21 Cluster Member
organisations meet monthly at the Scientific Advisory Council
(SAC) to bring forth ideas, hear about Cluster activities and
to help deliver Cluster projects. The SAC also hears regular
presentations from visitors or from individuals within the
Cluster, in order for members to stay informed of the breadth
of activities here, and relevant activities elsewhere. A list of
these presentations appears on page 11.
Of note among the SAC guest speakers this year was
economist Dr Julia Lane from the American Institutes for
Research in Washington DC, who talked about governmentsupported efforts in the USA to get better metrics around
expenditure on, and outcomes of, scientific research. As
a direct result of the ensuing discussions, the SAC Chair
has joined a steering group to advise on pilot studies, in
collaboration with Dr Lane, driven by Prof Paul Jensen of the
Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research.
The pilot studies are designed to improve the measurement
of medical research inputs and outputs in Australia. The
University of Melbourne will be one of the pilot sites. Given
the difficulties we experienced in obtaining metrics for health
and medical research in Victoria as part of the preparation for
the health and medical research Expo (see below), this would
seem to be a useful activity and will be supported by the SAC
as and when it can.
In April 2012, Prof Jock Findlay stepped down as Chair of the
SAC, after filling the role for four years. He was replaced
by Dr Roland Scollay, who had been Deputy Chair for the
previous year and who joins the SAC as an independent, with
no current direct affiliations with Cluster organisations, but
a history of such affiliations in the past. As the new Chair, I
would like to thank Jock, on behalf of the SAC and the Bio21
Cluster Board, for the excellent job he did as Chair. Under
his leadership, the SAC has developed into a very collegial,
hardworking group, which supports the Cluster activities in a
variety of ways. Thank you Jock - you are a hard act to follow!
I would also like to thank the new CEO, Jan Tennent, and
her team for their professional and congenial support to the
SAC. Jan’s transition into the CEO role has been smooth and
effective and her capabilities were well demonstrated as
she picked up a major project in the Expo the moment she
walked through the door. Well done Jan and team.
Jock Findlay (to April 2012) and
Roland Scollay (from April 2012)
SAC Chairs
Another example of SAC activities was the ‘Innovating for
Victoria’s Health’ Expo held in Parliament House on May 22-24
this year (a report on the Expo appears on page 16). The
Expo was largely driven by the SAC Members, along with the
9
10 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
Forums for developing ideas and collaborations
Presentations
to the SAC
July 2011
■Professor James Bishop AO, Executive
Director - Victorian Comprehensive Cancer
Centre
August 2011
■Professor Keith Nugent, Facility Director,
Professor Andrew Peele, Head of Science
and Dr Shirley Lanning, Head of External
Relations - Australian Synchrotron
■Professor Liz Sonenberg, Pro ViceChancellor (Research Collaboration) University of Melbourne
October 2011
■Professor Leann Tilley, ARC Australian
Professorial Fellow - Bio21 Institute
November 2011
■Sam La Rocca, Chief of Staff, and
James Bennett, Policy Adviser to
Adam Bandt MP, Federal MP for
Melbourne
December 2011
■Maureen Turner, CEO - BioGrid Australia
March 2012
■Dr Julia Lane, Senior Managing Economist American Institutes for Research
April 2012
■Dr Jia-Yee Lee, Business Development
Manager - NICTA Health Business Area
11
11
Forums for developing ideas and collaborations
Hospital Research
Directors Forum
The Hospital Research Directors Forum (HRDF) meets regularly
to consider the research needs of the hospital sector in
Victoria, with our members representing all the researchactive hospitals in Victoria. Key issues include efficient
research governance, funding and effective translation of
research findings into policy and practice.
Our major contribution in the past year was The Melbourne
Summit on Translational Research, held in October 2011 (see
report page 14). This initiative of the Bio21 Cluster HRDF was
held over two and a half days at the Melbourne Convention
and Exhibition Centre and attracted a great audience of local
and international speakers and invitees.
The international speakers included our keynote speaker,
Professor Dame Sally Davies (UK) and Dr Victor Dzau (USA).
It was of great interest to the audience to hear how other
countries have managed the nexus between academia and
the hospital sector, highlighted by Professor Hiroo Imura
(Japan) and Professor John Wong (Singapore). Professor
Jan Carlstedt-Duke contrasted the systems in Sweden and
Singapore.
The conference was convened by Professor John Funder, to
whom we owe a debt of gratitude for the world class event
that he made this meeting.
The Melbourne Summit focussed on the means to optimise
health care, recognising the necessity that it be knowledgedriven. Translational research has classically been described
as ‘from bench to bedside’. It is now recognised that
it is more encompassing, and goes both ways. More
encompassing in that it goes from laboratory experiments
to clinical studies, to implementation in the community and
to public policy. It also goes both ways, so that insights
from primary care, for example, can inform basic biomedical
research and clinical investigation. The role of the hospital
sector is central to this two-way translation.
In November, the HRDF was pleased to support the
distribution of a web-based survey by the Victorian Clinician
Researcher Network (VCRN) on research activity among the
doctors, nurses and allied health professionals who work in
the Victorian hospital sector. The survey received an excellent
response (see VCRN Report page 13). Further understanding
of the needs of those involved in clinical and translational
research will help inform the HRDF agenda.
The HRDF Members contributed to the Bio21 Cluster’s
submission to the Strategic Review of Health and Medical
Research (McKeon Review) commissioned by the Federal
Government. Members of the HRDF were invited to meet
with members of the Review panel to represent the issues for
hospital-based medical research.
12 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
In late 2011, the HRDF endorsed the establishment of a
Standing Sub-Committee of Hospital Research Managers.
It supports and extends the aims of the HRDF by sharing
information and resources across the membership and
focusing on initiatives to streamline and improve ethical and
research governance review processes. The Sub-Committee
has commenced work on a number of initiatives, including
educational workshops in regulatory and clinical audit and
the development and adoption of standardised templates for
research collaboration and material transfer agreements.
Research remains strong across our Victorian hospitals, with
commitment from all Members of the HRDF to enhancing the
profile and quality of research in hospitals.
We are indebted to Dr Stella Clark and Ms Paula Misiewicz
at the Bio21 Cluster for their tireless support, and to our
Executive Officers, Ms Angela Magira and Ms Louise Berns.
With the departure of Stella as the Bio21 Cluster CEO, we
welcome the new leadership provided by Jan Tennent.
Ingrid Winship
HRDF Chair
Kay Ledgerwood, VCRN Co-ordinator
Victorian Clinician
Researcher Network
The Victorian Clinician Researcher Network (VCRN), established
in 2010, is committed to identifying and addressing issues to
support change towards improving the capacity for clinician
researchers (medical practitioners, nurses and allied health
professionals) to conduct research. A particular focus is on
those in the early stages of their careers, when balancing
clinical commitments with research and maintaining grant
competitiveness can be extremely challenging.
Attrition of research-qualified clinicians who can effect
research translation, limits the delivery of the health benefits
expected from research. To gain insight into specific problems
faced by clinician researchers and potential solutions to those
problems, the VCRN this year administered a web-based
survey to assess the needs of clinician researchers in 16
research-active hospitals across greater Melbourne. More than
1000 responses were elicited, making it the largest survey of
its kind in Australia. A publication is in preparation.
Forums on key issues bring clinician researchers together.
In March, over 60 gathered to hear about a topical issue for
Australian hospitals, electronic clinical data collection, and
its application to clinical research activity. The forum was
co-organised by Microsoft Australia, who sponsored a visit to
Australia by Dr Greg Marchand, Georgetown University School
of Medicine, Washington DC, USA. Prof David Taylor, Director
of Emergency and General Medicine Research at Austin
Health, also spoke on the topic and presented examples of
his research.
This year, the Bio21 Cluster employed a part-time Co-ordinator
to assist VCRN activities. Kitty Cho held the role for 6
months, providing great support to the Network including
development and distribution of the survey. Kay Ledgerwood,
who has a background in scientific research, education and
genetic counselling, stepped seamlessly into the role in
January and quickly had a significant impact, applying her
skills in statistical methods. We thank Kitty and Kay and the
Bio21 Cluster for their valuable support of the VCRN.
Harriet Hiscock and Andrew Wilson
VCRN Co-convenors
Business Development
Managers Forum
Through 2011/12, the Business Development Managers
(BDM) group met quarterly to discuss and share expertise on
a wide range of issues and ideas that support the commercial
and business development side of Bio21 Cluster Members’
activities.
The primary objectives of the BDM group are: to work
collaboratively and cooperatively to investigate and
review matters of mutual interest with respect to business
development and research commercialisation; to promote the
commercial and business activity of Bio21 Cluster Members;
and to advise the Board of the Bio21 Cluster on issues related
to business development and commercialisation of health and
biomedical research.
Key discussions and projects for 2011/12
■Presentations by Bio21 Cluster Members to key staff
from Janssen, a research-based pharmaceutical company,
succeeded in generating follow-up opportunities with the
company for a number of Members
■An extensive review of software options to keep track
of, manage and report on commercial activity across an
organisation continued
■The Cluster was pleased to lend its support to a Cancer
Therapeutics CRC proposal for a program based on the
successful Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) Business
Development Intern Program, to provide early-stage
researchers with the opportunity to gain valuable insights
into the commercialisation process
At the August 2011 meeting, Julian Clark (WEHI) gave a
presentation to the group outlining how access to state-ofthe art infrastructure and technologies – notably the HighThroughput Chemical Screening facility, established at WEHI
Bundoora under the Bio21 Cluster STI fund – had led to the
identification of potential anti-cancer compounds, some of
which have attracted commercial investment and are now the
subject of a phase I clinical trial being coordinated by Cancer
Trials Australia.
I look forward to reinvigorating the schedule of presentations
at future BDM meetings to provide an opportunity to
showcase other commercially oriented projects, to present
current projects that may be seeking other partners and to
share contemporary business development know-how and
practices.
Thank you to the BDMs for their ongoing willingness to share
their experiences and expertise to the benefit of all Bio21
Cluster Members.
Jan Tennent
Chair BDM Forum
13
Forums for developing ideas and collaborations
2.1.7a used
L-R: Former Bio21 Cluster CEO Dr Stella Clark, Prof Jan Carlstedt-Duke,
Prof John Funder, Prof Hiroo Imura, Prof Ingrid Winship, Dr Victor Dzau,
Prof Dame Sally Davies and Prof John Wong
Translational Research:
The Melbourne Summit
There is growing recognition in Australia of the need to
actively support translational and clinical research, which
has over recent times fallen victim to economic imperatives
in hospitals and the burden of clinical service delivery. Not
to translate Australia’s first-class research into improved
health outcomes for patients, is to fail to capitalise fully on
the research investment and maximise the societal benefits
locally. While there is some integration of research and
the health system, there is no systematic model for such
relationships and academic involvement in hospitals and
clinician-led research has been eroded.
In recognition of the need to renew ties between universities,
research institutes and hospitals, the NHMRC proposed the
concept of Advanced Health Research Centres (AHRC) with the
model for implementation to be determined through broad
consultation with the sectors. A major consideration is the
division between the federal and state funding that supports
the various entities.
To address the situation in Victoria, the Hospital Research
Directors Forum (HRDF) held ‘The Melbourne Summit’ on
Translational Research on 10-11 October. The goals were to
address deficiencies in communication between the entities
and in adequately resourcing hospital-based clinical and
translational research. Comparison of models in the UK, USA,
Sweden, Japan and Singapore were explored through the
participation of invited speakers, all of whom have extensive
cross-institutional experience:
■Professor Jan Carlstedt-Duke, Molecular Endocrinologist
at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden and Director of the
Medical School Project, Nanyang University, Singapore
■Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer
for England, formerly Director General of Research
and Development and Chief Scientific Adviser for the
Department of Health and National Health Service in the
United Kingdom
14 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
Discussions during a break at the Translational Research Summit
■Dr Victor Dzau, Chancellor for Health Affairs, Duke
University, USA
■Professor Hiroo Imura, Advisor to the President, Japan
Science and Technology Agency and Chairman, Foundation
for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Japan
■Professor John Wong, Deputy Chief Executive, National
University Health System and Director, National University
Cancer Institute, Singapore
Over two days, local and interstate speakers explored the
potential opportunities and limitations operating in Australia
and panel discussions were intense with extensive audience
involvement. 150 participated in the Summit.
On the following day, the issues and models canvassed were
considered by the HRDF members along with the overseas
speakers. Ideas to enable the sectors to work towards
reformed support of clinical and translational research with
the involvement of Federal and State government agencies,
were considered. The Bio21 Cluster was commended for
initiating the Summit, which provided valuable insights for
the universities, hospitals and medical research institutes that
participated at a critical juncture, as plans for AHRCs develop.
The Bio21 Cluster extends thanks to Professor Funder for
organising the Summit program and acknowledges the
generous support of the following organisations in staging the
Summit:
■Major sponsors: Melbourne Health, Alfred Health, The
University of Melbourne, Monash University, Florey
Neuroscience Institutes, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
of Medical Research
■Supporting sponsors: St Vincent’s Institute, Mental Health
Research Institute, Baker IDI, Royal Children’s Hospital,
Burnet Institute
Presentations by the speakers at the Summit are available
through the Bio21 Cluster.
Nano in Medicine
Symposium
The emergence of nanotechnology applications in human
health made this topic a priority for the Cluster this year. The
‘Nano in Medicine’ symposium was held on 14 November
at the newly opened Melbourne Brain Centre, Parkville
Branch, and was a collaboration between the Cluster and the
Melbourne Materials Institute at the University of Melbourne.
The symposium aimed to provide an overview of current
trends in nanotechnology and their health applications.
Professor Peter Choong, Head of the Department of Surgery
at St Vincent’s Hospital, opened the day by addressing the
question ‘What can nano in medicine achieve that current
medicine can’t?’ He clearly outlined the potential of emerging
technology in devising new treatment approaches. Associate
Professor Eva Harth from Vanderbilt University, USA, gave the
plenary lecture on the application of nanosponges in breast
cancer treatment and was an active participant in discussions
throughout the day. Attendees also heard from local and
interstate leaders in the field on the use of nanostructures,
nanomaterials, drug delivery and the underpinning
infrastructure needed as the field advances, e.g. informatics
and information management. Promising examples were
given of experimental applications of the various technologies
and the potential and rapid expansion of the field was
evident.
A key goal of all symposia organised by the Cluster is to
attract parties from different fields who may not normally
meet in the usual course of their work but who can spark
innovative projects when they do. Productive discussions
during the breaks indicated the symposium’s value in bringing
together potential partners in new projects.
NoLIMITS Symposium
Following the success of the inaugural NoLIMITS symposium
in 2010 with the Nossal Institute for Global Health, the Cluster
was pleased to host the second NoLIMITS symposium in July.
The goal of these symposia is to bring together health and
development practitioners with engineers, who together
can provide potential low-cost technical solutions to realworld problems that can be practically applied in developing
countries.
The groups that came together at the second symposium
included practitioners from the Global Health Gateway and
Engineers Without Borders as well as members of the School
of Engineering and other departments at the University of
Melbourne. A series of issues were presented, including the
need for rapid sterilisation of medical equipment in African
hospitals, light-weight refrigeration for the last stage of
the vaccination ‘cold-chain’, better ways of weighing and
measuring children to monitor their growth, exposure to dust
and other problems associated with human-labour-intensive
stone quarries, and respiratory and other diseases related to
smoke from indoor cooking and heating fires.
Attendees came up with inventive suggestions for potential
solutions, such as using ethanol polymer fuel cells to power
light-weight car fridges, piezo-electric scales for weighing
children, and 3D software to calculate a child’s total volume
from three photos taken at right angles to each other.
Projects emerging from the discussions may provide the basis
for engineering projects for final year students. Ongoing
communication between the health and development
practitioners means there is a good chance the suggestions
will end up as concrete contributions to improving the health
of people in developing countries.
Speakers at the Nano in Medicine Symposium. L-R: A/Prof Eva Harth,
Dr Simon Corrie, Prof Maria Kavallaris, Prof Peter Choong, Dr Stella Clark and
Prof Steven Prawer
15
THEME
Profile, outcomes,
one voice
INNOVATING
FOR
VICTORIA’S
HEALTH
HEALTH + MEDICAL
RESEARCH EXPO
16 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
Since 1999, over $700 million has been invested in medical
research and biotechnology by the government in Victoria,
through major initiatives including the ‘Science, Technology
Infrastructure (STI)’ and ‘Healthy Futures’ programs. The
purpose of the Expo was to showcase the achievements of
the sector in Victoria in terms of health, economic benefits
and international reputation, and to engage in dialogue with
parliamentarians. The Expo was held in Queen’s Hall at the
Victorian Parliament from 22-24 May and was the Cluster’s
major project this year to raise awareness and knowledge
about the many benefits that flow from the health and
medical research sector.
The concept of an Expo was supported from the outset by
the Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business,
The Hon Louise Asher MLA, who launched the Expo in the
presence of over 100 people gathered in Queen’s Hall. The
Expo displayed the strength, maturity and value of the health
and medical research sector in Victoria. Over 70 organisations
contributed the many examples of Victorian research discovery
and ingenuity that brought alive the Expo’s three themes:
Economic Benefits; Saving and Improving Lives; and Victoria on
the World Stage.
A key take-home message from the Expo was that the sector,
including biotechnology and life science industries, ranks
third in Victoria in terms of economic output per worker. The
health and medical research sector accounts for around 2% of
the Victorian workforce and delivers up to 4% of gross state
product: “2%-4%” became a mantra! A media campaign
organised around the Expo featured a series of stories related
to health and medical research.
Many parliamentarians visited the exhibits during the three
days of the Expo and had a chance to chat with health and
medical researchers manning the displays. An important
activity in preparing the Expo was the development of a map
indicating healthcare, research and biotechnology activities
across the various state electorates.
The Bio21 Cluster gratefully acknowledges the contributions
of its 22 Members and colleagues from across the Victorian
health and medical research sector in the development of the
Expo and, in particular, the support of:
■CSL
■Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau
■Monash University
■University of Melbourne
■Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
■Victorian Government
The Cluster is most grateful to all those involved in preparing
and manning the exhibition. The willing and enthusiastic
involvement of the communications and outreach staff from
Member organisations was pivotal to the Expo’s success. The
Expo material will be of significance for some time to come
and the Cluster will continue to arrange its display in venues
around the State.
Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business, The Hon Louise Asher
MLA launching the Expo at the Victorian Parliament Photos by Cameron Wells
17
Profile, outcomes, one voice
Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research
The sector has been strongly focussed in the last year on the
Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research. The review
was commissioned in 2011 by Federal MP, the Hon Mark Butler
and is chaired by Mr Simon McKeon AO. The goal of the review
is to provide a 10 year strategic health and medical research
plan for the nation with a report and recommendations due by
the end of 2012.
Over 340 written submissions have been made to the review,
including a number from Cluster Member organisations.
A series of consultations were held around the country in which
members of the Hospital Research Directors Forum (HRDF)
and others participated, providing the opportunity to present a
clear and direct perspective to the review panel on the current
situation for research in hospitals.
The submission made by the Bio21 Cluster on behalf of its
Members, was prepared in consultation with the Scientific
Advisory Council (SAC) and the HRDF. The following are some
of the shared views of the broad-based Bio21 Cluster research
community.
■Active engagement with the world community promotes
excellence in Australian health and medical research (HMR)
and drives innovation from the sector.
■Commercialisation of HMR products, including diagnostics,
medical devices, therapeutics, vaccines and manufacturing
scale-up and development know-how, results in significant
economic benefits to the country.
■Continuous engagement in the global dialogue and
exchange of ideas will allow Australia to adopt world’s-best
practices to provide clinically-relevant and cost-effective
health care for all Australians.
■Better-defined and more secure career pathways should be
available and funded appropriately to protect our valuable
resource of medical and clinical researchers and attract
future generations of researchers.
■No barriers should exist to inhibit individuals moving within
and between the industry, research and health care sectors.
■The indirect costs of research should be funded irrespective
of the type of institution carrying out research.
■Government should continue its support of HMR and also
take steps to create an environment that stimulates private,
including philanthropic, investment in HMR.
■Government is encouraged to provide dedicated funding to
create a limited number of AHRCs and to ensure that the
governance structures adopted will deliver outcomes that
meet government and community priorities.
■Translational research could be enhanced if hospitals were
to become eligible to bid for ‘ear-marked’ infrastructure
funding to support medical research in the same way as can
universities and medical research institutes.
A full listing of submissions to the review can be viewed at:
www.mckeonreview.org.au with the Cluster’s submission at
305a and 305b.
Gender Equity in Scientific Research
The issue of gender equity in scientific research and possible
practical solutions to assist everyone to fulfil their potential, is
critical to the future of the research workforce. At the end of the
last financial year, we reported on the success of an ARC Linkage
Grant in which the Bio21 Cluster partnered with Professors
Sharon Bell and Lyn Yates on a project to examine “Women in
the Scientific Research Workforce: Identifying and Sustaining the
Diversity Advantage”. Other partners in the project are Science
and Technology Australia (STA, formerly FASTS) and the Royal
Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).
Partner agreements have now been established and the project
is well under way. With the appointment of Robyn May as
Project Coordinator, the design and development of a survey
18 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
tool is almost complete. Developed in consultation with the
partner organisations, the survey will be an important adjunct to
database research in obtaining detail about the key barriers and
enablers to equal gender participation. A small group of staff
from Cluster Member organisations participated in ‘road-testing’
the survey and provided feedback on its design. Ethics approval
for administration of the survey has been obtained and Members’
participation is expected to commence in the next few months.
Database mining will be another major component of the project,
contracted through the Australian Council for Educational Research
(ACER). Initial consultations have succeeded in identifying the
relevant data sources to be mined.
THEME
Collaborative resources and
platform technologies
Victorian Platform
Technologies Network
Report
In 2009 the Bio21 Cluster established the Bio21 Cluster
node of the Victorian Platform Technologies Network (VPTN)
with support from the Victorian Government. The funding
supported the VPTN Bio21 Cluster Node Manager and a
program of activities to develop and promote the VPTN
and provide professional development activities for facility
managers. A Southern Node, with a Manager based at
Monash University commenced around the same time. With
the initial funding for the VPTN concluding at the end of
December 2012, a sustainability plan has been developed and
submitted to the Victorian Government for consideration.
The VPTN is a unique, much valued and valuable initiative
available to the research community. Since its inception,
the VPTN has built a successful network of facilities and the
skilled professionals that support those facilities. That network
is now evident both online, through the Victorian Bioportal
and the VPTN website, and in person through a program
of professional development and networking events, thus
fulfilling its goal of improving awareness of, and access to,
infrastructure resources and capabilities.
The wealth of knowledge about Victorian infrastructure and
capabilities encompassed by the VPTN provides a unique
cross-institutional understanding of the biomedical capabilities
and requirements across the State.
The following is a summary of major activities of the VPTN
this year.
Core Facilities Management Software
A significant activity this year has been the development,
to proof of concept stage, of a single software tool capable
of integrating the major functions of a research core facility.
This tool will allow management of user access, booking of
resources (instruments, services), generating of invoices and
compilation of utilisation reports.
Being developed collaboratively by the Bio21 Cluster Node
and the Southern Node, the tool will allow a user to see all
of the available resources and allow facility managers to
administer who has access to those resources, using advanced
booking control options.
There are 111 facilities currently registered across the VPTN.
Of these, 69 are coordinated by the Bio21 Cluster Node across
25 different organisations spanning research precincts in
Parkville, East Melbourne, Heidelberg and Bundoora.
19
Collaborative resources and platform technologies
Professional Development Program
VPTN Evaluation
A key feature of the VPTN is professional development for the
managers of facilities. Guided by annual surveys undertaken
to establish the needs of facility managers, the Bio21 Cluster
node has delivered 16 professional development workshops
and networking events since its inception, predominantly
focused on ways to improve the operational aspects of core
facilities. This past year, five workshops were held:
An independent evaluation of the VPTN was conducted in
the first half of 2012. The evaluation findings demonstrated
that the Victorian life sciences community has recognised the
tremendous achievements and impact of the VPTN.
■Fee for service: Expectations and obligations
■Future proofing your facility: Grants Funding and Income
■Facility Reporting and Evaluation: KPI’s
■MBA-in-a-day
■More meetings! Leadership skills and chairing effective
meetings
Marketing and Promotion
A key aspect of the Bio21 Cluster Node Manager’s role
has been to promote the capabilities and resources within
the network. This has involved giving presentations,
preparation of publications and exhibitions describing the
VPTN at conferences and research institutions. A key piece
of promotional material developed by the VPTN was the
Capability Menu, a brochure with a comprehensive listing of
facilities and platforms in the VPTN. Almost 6000 copies have
been printed and distributed at various conferences and other
events.
The VPTN has developed its own website to support its
marketing activities and to provide a means by which facility
managers and others can complete information reviews and
register for workshops (www.platformtechnologies.org). The
VPTN website is now the primary repository of facility profiles
following the restructure of the Victorian Bioportal. The
Bio21 Cluster Node has also extended the use of its website
to facilities for the purpose of promoting and managing
registrations for a variety of events. This initiative has
resulted in seventeen workshops and training seminars and
five conferences being indirectly supported by the VPTN.
This year, the VPTN undertook promotional activities at
4 conferences; AusBiotech, Lorne Cancer, Lorne Genome
and Lorne Protein. Presentations were given at the Protein
Expression Workshop, the Florey Neuroscience Institutes
induction program, the University of Melbourne Biosciences
Domain technology showcase and the VCRN symposium.
20 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
The key findings from the independent evaluation were:
■the profile of core facilities has been raised with 82% of
respondents indicating they were familiar with the VPTN.
95% of respondents indicated that increased awareness
would increase use of facilities and contribute positively to
researcher collaboration
■the professional development series developed by the
VPTN has been extremely useful to facilities’ development:
93% of facility managers had attended a workshop and
74% had found them to be valuable
■the VPTN has initiated the development of a sustainability
plan in which the major activities are consistent with
the desires of the community and are consistent with
international expert opinion
■the VPTN managers have understood the needs of the
sector and the across-the-board issues relating to core
facilities management and operations
The evaluation also identified four areas of focus for the
VPTN’s future development:
■Enhanced website content
■A broadened scope of professional development activities
■A more strategic engagement and communications
strategy across the sector
■Delivery of on-line services supporting facilities’
engagement with users
Gerard Gibbs
VPTN Bio21 Cluster Node Manager
Platform categories
- nmr
- synchrotron
- x-ray crystallography
- x-ray spectroscopy
- crystal screening
- functional
assays
- peptide
synthesis
- properties &
interactions
- purification
- recombinant
- amino acid analysis
- comparative analysis
- gel electrophoresis
- protein identification
- quantitation
- conjugation
- monoclonal Abs
- polyclonal Abs
- purification
- screening assays
- animal models
- animal services
- molecular libraries
- biobanks
- assay development
- electrophysiology
- elisa
- flipr
- luminescence
- preclinical assays
- cell culture
- flow cytometry & facs
- high-content analysis
- histology
- knockdown (sirna, rnai)
- pathology
antibodies
structural biology
bioassay
proteomics
bioinformatics
proteins
bioresources
microscopy
metabolomics
VPTN:
>100 platforms
across 30 research
institutions
cells & tissues
clean rooms
clinical services & trials
in-vivo imaging
computational
genomics
drug development
devices
diagnostics
- dna sequencing
- expression
analysis
- microarray
- mutation analysis
- nextgen
sequencing
- small/large
animal
- human
- MRI/CT/opical/
PET/multi modal
- adme
- delivery
- discovery
- formulation
- medicinal
chemistry
- pharmokinetics
- gc
- lipids analysis
- mass
spectroscopy
- sample
preparation
- design &
prototyping
- lab-on-chip
- microfluidics
- production
- afm
- confocal
- electron
- fluorescence
- light
- live-cell
- two photon
- biohazard
(class 3+)
- manufacturing
- tissue & sample
preparation
- preclinical
assays
- analytical
assays
- clinical trials
- immunological
assays
- biostatistics
- data storage
- high performance
computing
- image analysis
- molecular
modelling
21
THEME
Capability building
through education &
training
Undergraduate
Research Opportunities
Program Report
It has been just under a year since I took over the reins of this
valuable program, which provides undergraduate students
with first-hand experience of research in the biomedical
sciences, through paid casual employment within research
teams. The last year has been very successful, with 55 UROP
projects offered, reaching an important milestone with the
placement of our 400th student. A total of 420 positions for
students have now been created by the Cluster since 2004.
It has been a fantastic year for UROP. Firstly, we are delighted
that CSL, who became the first Principal Sponsor in 2010,
continues to be an active partner in the scheme and has
committed to continue their sponsorship for a further three
years. The Victorian Life Sciences Computation Initiative
(VLSCI), UROP’s other Principal Sponsor, has also continued
its support for part-stipends for students in selected
computational biology projects, with 14 new projects
supported this year. Their support has spurred an increase in
computational biology training by UROP host research groups.
Long-term partner, the Victorian Government remains a
Supporting Sponsor until the end of 2012.
The UROP Conference Day was held on 21 July with around
100 attendees and 19 presentations from present and past
UROP students. The Conference officially celebrated the
sponsorship of the VLSCI, which commenced in January
2011, and acknowledged the continued support by CSL and
the Victorian Government. Victorian Assistant Treasurer and
Minister for Technology, the Hon Gordon Rich-Phillips MLC,
opened proceedings and a video message from UROP Patron,
Mr Simon McKeon AO, was presented. Professor Peter Taylor,
Director of the VLSCI, gave the keynote address exploring
the impact of computational approaches in the life sciences.
Presentations from three current and former UROP students
completed the first session. Student presentations continued
throughout the day until Professor David Vaux held everyone’s
rapt attention in the late afternoon with an entertaining
22 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
and interactive seminar on the serious topic of the ethical
presentation and interpretation of scientific data. The day was
wrapped up by Mr Adam Bandt, Federal MP for Melbourne,
who gave a short speech outlining his party’s support of
medical research before he presented the awards for the best
student presentations. Adam stayed for the networking drinks
and met a number of students.
With support from the Principal Sponsors, prizes were again
awarded for the best presentations at the UROP Conference:
■The CSL Award for Best UROP Presentation in Biomedicine/
Biotechnology was won by Michael Roy, The Walter and
Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research for his presentation
entitled “Design, synthesis and structural characterisation
of Bcl-XL inhibitors”. Michael’s supervisors are Dr Peter
Czabotar & Dr Guillaume Lessene.
■The VLSCI Award for Best UROP Presentation in
Bioinformatics was presented to Tessa Young, Monash
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences for her talk on
“Structure, dynamics and interactions of malaria surface
antigens”. Tessa is supervised by Dr David Chalmers & Prof
Ray Norton.
The prizes were awarded to support further training for the
student and/or attendance at a conference.
In February, the 2012 UROP Welcome Forum was generously
hosted by VLSCI with over 60 current and former UROP
students, some of their supervisors, and many VLSCI scientists
attending. The Forum welcomed the students who joined
UROP in the summer intake and provided an opportunity for
them to connect with others in the scheme. Gayle Philip,
Bernie Pope and Matthias Reumann shared with the audience
their personal career experiences in the field of bioinformatics.
The presentations were followed by some networking over
delicious food and drinks.
Excitingly this year, former UROP student Dr Elena Tucker
received a Commendation in the 2012 Premier’s Award for
Health and Medical Research, for her work on the genetics
of mitochondrial disease. Elena credits her UROP experience
with cementing her choice to pursue a career in medical
research, an affirmation of the value of the Program. The
Cluster extends its warmest congratulations to Elena on her
achievement.
Finally, in considering UROP’s success in my first year
managing the Program, I am thankful for the guidance
and encouragement of Dr Elizabeth Johnson, Bio21 Cluster
Projects Manager, and the very capable administrative support
provided by Debbie Dorfan, UROP’s Administrative Assistant.
I would like to thank all of UROP’s many supporters, in
particular the members of the UROP Committee, supervisors,
students and colleagues in sponsor organisations.
UROP Highlights
2011/12
■Dr Michelle Zajac appointed as
UROP Manager, September 2011
■CSL commits to sponsor UROP for a
further 3 years from 2013
■Total number of students placed in
the scheme since 2004 reaches 420
■Former UROP student Dr Elena
Tucker awarded Commendation
in Premier’s Award for Health and
Medical Research, 2012
■Victorian Minister for Technology,
Hon Gordon Rich-Phillips MLC, 2011
Australian of the Year, Mr Simon
McKeon AO, and Federal Member
for Melbourne, Deputy Leader of
the Greens, Mr Adam Bandt MP,
addressed the UROP Conference
Michelle Zajac
UROP Manager
Dr Elena Tucker Photo courtesy MCRI
23
Capability building through education & training
1
4
5
7
6
9
24 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
10
Bio21 Cluster Political
Intern Program
This year, the Bio21 Cluster initiated a short-term political
internship to help encourage closer association between
scientists and politicians. The intern program will enable an
early career researcher to join the office of a parliamentarian,
part-time for a period of several months. The goals of the
program are to provide an opportunity for the scientist to gain
understanding of political and parliamentary processes and
how to influence the political agenda; for the parliamentarian
to receive information and advice on current issues in health
and medical research; and to create an opportunity for ongoing
two-way links between the parliamentarian and the health and
medical research community.
2
3
Dr Krystal Evans, a malaria researcher at the Walter and Eliza
Hall Institute of Medical Research, was selected as the inaugural
intern. Krystal is well known for her key role in the Discoveries
Need Dollars campaign in 2011, as well as a variety of other
science communication and outreach activities, including her
role as Victorian Convenor of the ASMR. We thank Adam Bandt
MP, Federal Deputy Leader of the Greens, for hosting Krystal’s
internship and acknowledge his staff for their collaboration in
the initiative. Adam’s portfolios cover Innovation & Industry as
well as Science & Research. As the Member for Melbourne, his
electorate includes a large proportion of this State’s health and
medical research institutions.
Krystal joined Adam Bandt’s staff towards the end of June. In
her role she will conduct research that will provide evidence
to support science policy development. She will also have the
opportunity to travel to Canberra during the internship to gain
insight into federal parliamentary processes.
8
1 L-R: Former UROP Manager Dr Tam Nguyen; former Bio21 Cluster CEO Dr
Stella Clark; MP for Melbourne Adam Bandt; VLSCI UROP Award winner Tessa
Young; VLSCI Communications Manager Helen Gardiner; Dr John Wagner, IBM
2-4 Student speakers at the UROP Conference: Benita Knox, Ben Porebski
and Katherine Lieschke 5 L-R: Dr Simon Green, CSL; Victorian Minister for
Technology, Gordon Rich-Phillips MLC; Dr Stella Clark and Prof Tony Bacic,
Director Bio21 Institute 6 Adam Bandt MP and Dr Tam Nguyen 7 The 2011
UROP Conference 8 CSL UROP Award winner Michael Roy 9 New UROP
Students in the Winter 2011 Round, with Dr Stella Clark (L), Prof Peter Taylor
(Centre front row), Dr Simon Green (Centre back row) and Dr Tam Nguyen (R)
10 UROP Students Hendrika Duivenvoorden (L) and Cassandra Williams (R) at
the 2011 Conference Day
Dr Krystal Evans Photo courtesy WEHI
25
Section 3 Organisation & Governance
Members of the Board
of Bio21 Australia Ltd
2011-2012
Chairman Professor Ian David Gust, AO
Mrs Sally Campbell
■Professorial Fellow, Department of Microbiology and
Immunology, University of Melbourne
■Executive Director of Corporate and Information Services,
Chief Information Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Board
Secretary, Melbourne Health
■Non Executive Director, OPAL Therapeutics Pty Ltd
■Member of Board, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
■Chair, Melbourne Health IMT Steering Committee;
Melbourne Health Business Development and
Commercialisation Steering Committee
■Member of Board, Nossal Institute for Global Health
2010-2011
■Chair and Executive responsible for Melbourne Health
Capital Works and Infrastructure
■Member of Board, Australian International Health Institute
2002-2011
■Previous roles include senior management roles and Board
positions with the NHS United Kingdom; the health sector
New Zealand; telecommunications and IT in Australia; legal
roles as partner and consultant in Victorian law firms
■Non Executive Director, Biota Holdings
■Member of Board of Trustees, International Vaccine Institute
2000-2006
■Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Influenza 1990-2006
26 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
Professor Douglas James Hilton
Professor Malcolm McConville
■Director, The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical
Research
■Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Melbourne
■Head, Division of Molecular Medicine, The Walter & Eliza
Hall Institute of Medical Research
■Deputy Director and Structural Biology theme leader, Bio21
Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University
of Melbourne
■Professor, Medical Biology, University of Melbourne
■Head, Bio21 Institute node of Metabolomics Australia
27
Professor John Kerr (Jock) Findlay, AO
Dr Roland Scollay
to April 2012
from April 2012
■Director of Research, Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria
2007-2012
■Head of GenSight Asia/Pacific
■Head of Female Reproductive Endocrinology Group, Prince
Henry’s Institute of Medical Research
■Adjunct Professor, Department of Obstetrics &
Gynaecology, Monash University
■Hon Professor Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,
University of Melbourne
■Chair, Embryo Research Licensing Committee of the
NHMRC (the NHMRC Licensing Committee) 2003-2012
■Chair, Infertility Treatment Authority of Victoria 2001-2009
■Deputy Chair, Patient Review Panel, Victoria 2010-2012
28 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
■Member of the Cell and Gene Therapy Committee of
Therapeutic Innovation Australia
■Consultant in cell and gene therapy, biotechnology and
research management
■Previous roles include positions as director, CEO or
senior executive in various biotechnology and pharma
companies (Novartis, CSL, Metabolic Pharmaceuticals,
plus others)
■Many years as an academic biomedical researcher with
more than 150 published papers
Professor Ingrid Winship
Professor Jeffrey Zajac
from April 2012
■ Executive Director Research, Melbourne Health
■Head, Department of Medicine, The University of
Melbourne, Austin Health/Northern Health
■Professor of Adult Clinical Genetics, University of
Melbourne
■Secretary, Victorian Committee of the Royal Australasian
College of Physicians
■Board Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of
Medical Research
■Chairman, Division of Medicine, Austin Health
■Member of the NHMRC Human Genetics Advisory
Committee
■Member, Endocrine Society of America, Development
Committee
■Member Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Research
Committee
■Chair, Austin Health & Northern Health Academic Centre
2007-2010
■Member of the Executive Committee of the Victorian
Co-operative Oncology Group
■Director, Department of General Medicine, Austin Health
2000-2009
■Member of the Steering Committee of the Victorian Life
Sciences Computation Initiative
■Member, International Society of Endocrinology,
Programming Committee 2007-2008
■Member of the Doherty Institute Council
■President, Endocrine Society of Australia 2005-2006
■Director, Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health
29
Professor David Copolov, OAM
Dr Graeme Woodrow
■Pro Vice Chancellor, Office of the Vice Chancellor and
Professor of Psychiatry, Monash University
■CSIRO, Health Strategy Advisor
■Senior Advisor, Office of the Vice Chancellor and Professor
of Psychiatry, Monash University 2004-2009
■Deputy Chair Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Board
■Director, Board of Management, Peter Mac Foundation and
Member of Grants Allocation Committee of the Foundation
■Chairman of the Research Advisory Committee, Peter
MacCallum Cancer Centre 2005-2010
■Director and Member of Audit and Cyclotron Committees,
The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology
Organisation (ANSTO)
■Council Member, EMBL Australia
■Member, Biosciences Victoria Collaborative
■Chief, CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies
2005-2010 and CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition
2002-2005
■Chair, Infrastructure Working Group, Victorian Government’s
Biotechnology Strategy Development Plan 2007-2010
■Director (alternate), Food Science Australia 2007-2009
■Director, Nanotechnology Victoria Ltd 2004-2005
■Director, Ascentia Pty Ltd 2003-2004
■Director, Governing Board, Cooperative Research Centre on
Water Quality and Treatment 2004-2008
■Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and
Engineering
■Trustee, Finkel Philanthropic Foundation
■Fellow, Australian Institute of Company Directors
30 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
Professor David de Kretser, AC
Dr George Morstyn
■Founding Director of Monash Institute of Medical Research
■Chair of the Board of GBS Bioventures
■Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor
■Deputy Chair of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre
■28th Governor of Victoria 2006-2011
■Board Member and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board
of Symbio (Japan)
■Served on the Boards of Companies, Educational and
Research Institutes including the Committee of the Human
Reproduction Program at the World Health Organisation
and the Executive Council of the International Society of
Andrology, including a term as its President
■Board Member of Proacta and Therapeutic Innovation
Australia
■Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of Circadian
■Previous roles include Senior Vice President of
Development at Amgen (USA) and Head of Clinical
Program, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (Melbourne)
31
Bio21 Australia Limited ABN 80 096 058 025
Statement of Financial Position
as at 30 June 2012
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
20122011
$
$
1,276,953
1,425,141
13,110
28,188
8,216
7,127
1,298,279
1,460,456
Property, plant and equipment
6,393
31,203
Total non-current assets
6,393
31,203
1,304,672
1,491,659
65,353
86,663
168,000
202,688
30,243
70,800
263,596
360,151
Employee provisions
3,718
20,152
Total non-current liabilities
3,718
20,152
267,314
380,303
1,037,358
1,111,356
150
150
1,037,208
1,111,206
1,037,358
1,111,356
Trade and other receivables
Other assets
Total current assets
Non-current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Other current liabilities
Employee provisions
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Contributed equity
Retained surplus
Total equity
Detailed financials are available to Members of the Bio21 Cluster.
32 Bio21 Cluster Annual Report 2011/2012
Organisational Structure
Governance Structure
Board
Scientific
Advisory Council
Hospital Research
Directors Forum
Victorian Clinician
Researcher
Network
Audit
Committee
Business
Development
Managers
Forum
Hospital
Research
Managers
Staff Structure
CEO - Assoc Prof Jan Tennent
Executive Assistant
Hollie Munro
VPTN
Bio21 Cluster Node
Manager
Dr Gerard Gibbs
Projects Manager
Dr Elizabeth
Johnson
VCRN Coordinator
Kay Ledgerwood
UROP Manager
Dr Michelle Zajac
UROP Admin
Assistant
Debbie Dorfan
Graphic Design: Coombes Whitechurch Design
33
Bio21 Australia Limited ACN 096 058 025 trading as the Bio21 Cluster
157 Barry Street, Carlton, Victoria 3053 Australia
Telephone +61 3 8344 1936, Facsimile +61 3 9347 9823, [email protected], www.bio21.com.au