Regular news from state and federal governments.
- ARC grants AU$59.4 million in biotech funding
- AusBiotech Australia support for Medical Device Action Agenda
- Bioinformatics Australia to boost biotech capabilities
- NHMRC deliver over AU$184 million in national project grants
- Proteome facility partners with LumiCyte for biomarker research
ARC grants AU$59.4 million in biotech funding
November 17 – The Australian Research Council has allocated AU$59.4 million in ARC Discovery Project grant funding over five years to 190 biological science and biotechnology based projects to commence in 2005. In total, 1051 ARC Discovery Projects will be funded from 2005, increasing from 875 in 2004. The grants are awarded under the Federal Government National Competitive Grants Program.
[Source: ARC Media Release]
AusBiotech Australia support for Medical Device Action Agenda
November 10 – AusBiotech has announced strong support for the newly announced Medical Device Action Agenda that aims to bring together research, manufacturing and commercialisation bodies within the medical device industry which has already enjoyed success through reputable companies such as Cochlear, Proteome Systems and Compumedics. 'AusBiotech has been working closely with the Australian Government and the medical device industry in association with the Science Industry Australia, Medical Industry Association of Australia and Australian Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers Association,' said Dr Tony Coulepis, Executive Director of AusBiotech. The Medical Device Action Agenda is a joint initiative between the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources and the Department of Health.
[Source: AusBiotech Media Release]
Bioinformatics Australia to boost biotech capabilities
November 10 – AusBiotech's Bioinformatics Special interest Group and the Bioinformatics Association of Australia have merged to form a new entity – Bioinformatics Australia. The unified organisation will bring experienced bioinformatic companies and researchers together to drive collaboration between biotechnology, the medical device sector and related industries whilst coordinating education and training to help establish Australia as a leading country in the field.
[Source: AusBiotech Media Release]
NHMRC deliver over AU$184 million in national project grants
November 11 – The National Health and Medical Research council has announced funding for project to commence in 2005. Over AU$184 million will fund 416 projects at 82 institutes, universities and research organisations – a success rate of 22 per cent from the initial 1892 applications. Projects pertaining to neurological disorders (AU$25.1 million) and infection and immunity (AU$32.5 million) attracted the most funding, and along with cancer based research amassed the majority of successful applicants.
[Source: NHMRC Media Release]
Proteome facility partners with LumiCyte for biomarker research
November 19 – The Australian Proteome Analysis Facility will partner with LumiCyte to develop LCI's STS biochip platform technology and to accelerate proteomic biomarker discovery. Under terms of the agreement, LCI will provide access to its STS biochip platform to support APAF's biomarker research efforts. Using mass-spectrometry techniques, APAF will provide a range of evaluation, validation and proteomic studies to characterise the performance of the STS platform. APAF and LCI will apply collaboratively to the Australian Government for funding to support the STS platform research. Financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed.
[Source: GenomeWeb]
