Science, Technology and Engineering

Programs

Department of Biochemistry

Cooperative Research Centre for Biomarker Translation

The Department of Biochemistry, in association with major Australian research bodies, clinical institutions and international pharmaceutical companies, was successful in obtaining funding for a new $30m Federal Government medical Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Biomarker Translation. The Centre will be headquartered at the La Trobe University Research and Development Park on the main Melbourne campus at Bundoora. Partners include the Mater Medical Research Institute and Clinical Services in Brisbane, the Child Health Research Institute and Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science in Adelaide, and the Burnet Institute in Prahran. BD Biosciences and Amgen will be commercial partners.

The focus of the CRC-BT will be the production of new antibody-based therapeutics and diagnostic tests, which target cell surface molecules (biomarkers) expressed by white blood cells and cancer cells. These antibodies – or ‘magic bullets’ – will be aimed at cells involved in major diseases, including autoimmune disease and cancers. This technology was first introduced into Australia by the CRC’s partners. The Burnet Institute and Mater Medical Research Institute also have experience in testing ‘magic bullets’ in patients.

La Trobe will lead two of the five programs in the CRC. The discovery of biomarkers using high-sensitivity mass spectrometry will be headed by Professor Hoogenraad and the production of monoclonal antibodies against these biomarkers by Dr Michael Foley.

The education program will be led by another La Trobe biochemist, Dr Andrew Coley. As the only university participant in the CRC, La Trobe will also have a leading role in postgraduate training and undergraduate feeder programs.

The new CRC for Biomarker Translation came out of an existing CRC, the CRC for Diagnostics based at Queensland University of Technology, of which La Trobe is a leading partner.

For more information about this Co-operative Research Centre visit http://www.biomarkercrc.com.au/.