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Embargo: 10.30 am Wednesday 8 June 2005
$100 million Bio21 Institute opens for business
with the discoveries already flowing
Embargo and launch: 10.30 am
Wednesday 8 June:
30 Flemington Road, Parkville, beta sp and stills available
The University of Melbourne’s $100
million Bio21 Institute opens for business today – with announcements of
discoveries in fighting deadly diseases, cancer, and pest insects.
“The Bio21
Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute is already home to 230 of our best
biochemistry, genetics and chemistry researchers, as well as three companies,”
says Prof Dick Wettenhall, director of the Institute.
“We expect the combination of
research, business, sophisticated laboratories and equipment at the Bio21
Institute, to transform the way the University turns inventions into real world
solutions.”
The Bio21 Institute will grow further
in the next 2 years to host up to 450 researchers (including more than 150
students) and 15 companies.
The University of Melbourne and
Atlantic Philanthropies have contributed $50 million and $30 million
respectively.
“We appreciate the substantial
contributions of the Victorian government,” said Prof Wettenhall. “Victoria has
contributed $15 million towards the building, $5.5 million towards specialist
equipment, plus land to the value of $15 million. And the Commonwealth
Department of Health has also contributed $9.5 million.”
The Bio21 Institute is already living
up to its promise, according to Prof Wettenhall. “Early results include:
§
the discovery that the
parasites that cause millions of deaths from TB and leishmaniasis have an
Achilles’ heel that could lead to new treatments;
§
work on
plastics that absorb light for use in low cost solar panels, as well as
biomedical applications; and
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the discovery by a
PhD student of the gene targeted by popular insecticide Spinosad, with the
potential for tests to help farmers manage pesticide resistance.”
“Businesses are already seeing the
benefit of working with Bio21,” he said.
“Cygenics Ltd,
an ASX listed biotech, is an anchor tenant at the Bio21 business incubator,
through its subsidiary Cordlife Pty Ltd. From this research and
administration base the company has initiated two clinical trials for cancer
treatment planned at Melbourne hospitals. And it plans to initiate research and
development into stem cells related drug discovery and screening tools,” he said
“And US
equipment manufacturer Agilent has made available $850,000 of sophisticated
laboratory equipment in our visitors’ laboratories available for Bio21 and
industry researchers, and training.”
For details on all the stories
mentioned visit
www.scienceinpublic.com/bio21, call Niall on 0417 131 977 for a
password prior to the event.
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| The Bio21 Institute |
Researcher Dr Matt Perugini |
The Atrium |
TOP
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THE
BIO21 INSTITUTE: OPENING CEREMONY
