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Biotech News Government news Regular news from state and federal governments. |
NHMRC announce $2 million in Development Grants
June 17 – The National Health and Medical Research Council has announced $2 million covering fourteen grants in the latest NHMRC Development Grants Scheme. The grants cover a variety research with great commercial potential. Professor Ian Wicks of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute was granted $88,000 to develop inhibitors of G-CSF, a cytokine involved in inflammatory joint disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Professor Edouard Nice of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research was awarded $267,500 for the development of a non-evasive, rapid and highly specific biosensor method for early cancer detection. Monash University was awarded over $450,000 comprising three grants, one to Dr Hans Netter for the development a multi-component vaccine for the treatment of HIV-1 that may be used for mass immunisation. The University of Queensland, University of Sydney, UTS, University of Western Australia, La Trobe University and Griffith University also received grants as part of the scheme.
[Source: NHMRC Media Release]
QLD gets $5 million to improve forensic testing
June 15 – QLD Health Minister Gordon Nuttall announced a $5 million packing to fund 28 new forensic scientists, 10 technical and administrative staff and the latest equipment for testing forensic samples. The funds increase the capacity of the Queensland Health Pathology and Scientific Services, which provides forensic services to the public through the police and court systems. New robotic equipment will automate many of the manual processes currently in place and significantly reduce the number of cases held at QHSS waiting for testing. The funds are part of a 3 year $11 million package to assist Queensland Health, Queensland Police Service and Queensland Justice to ensure that forensic cases meet court dates.
[Source: Ministerial Announcement]
