Science, Technology and Engineering

13 May 2009
La Trobe University today welcomed the Federal Government's announcement that it will provide $123.7 million of funds to spearhead science and regional health efforts. The funds will go towards establishing the $97.9 million La Trobe Institute for Molecular Sciences (LIMS) in north Melbourne and the $88.9 million La Trobe Rural Health School (LRHS) in Bendigo. $64.1 million has been allocated by the Government in LIMS and $59.6 million allocated for LRHS.

'These two projects are groundbreaking in their approach, setting the mould for next generation of science and regional health in Australia. The funding is a clear vote of confidence in La Trobe University and its key research strength in biosciences and quality higher education. We will be able to expand our strong track record in scientific research and education, as well as our pioneering practice of bringing together many different disciplines to solve big problems, including cancer, malaria and autoimmune diseases,' said La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson.

At a glance
The La Trobe Institute for Molecular Sciences will be a world-class facility for molecular science, biotechnology and nanotechnology research and research training, creating:

• 220 extra research positions to address a critical shortage of bioscientists in Australia;
• Basic and commercial research outcomes and additional research income of $10m annually;
• An economically significant biotechnology research and development hub in northern Melbourne;
• An extended science outreach program for over 2,500 secondary school students across northern Melbourne; and
• Over 800 direct and indirect construction jobs.

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This wonderful news is a credit to Professor Nick Hoogenraad and his team for their leadership and hard work, and is a strong endorsement of the quality of the research and teaching efforts in the School of Molecular Sciences.

25 March 2009
From 26 September to 1 October 2010, the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), the ANZ Society for Cell and Developmental Biology and the Australian Society for Plant Sciences will be hosting an International Conference on "OzBio2010 - Molecules of life: from discovery to biotechnology" at the new Melbourne Convention Centre. This premier international scientific meeting which will be called OzBio 2010 brings together the 12th IUBMB Conference, the 21st FAOBMB Conference and the ComBio2010 meeting.

The meeting, to be held in the new Melbourne Congress Centre will combine a unique blend of participating societies and will generate an outstanding scientific event, which will be of major interest to biochemists, molecular biologists, cell and developmental biologists, and plant scientists. The world's top speakers in these areas will present their exciting new findings in major plenary sessions and in a wide array of more specialist symposia.

Professors Nick Hoogenraad and Phillip Nagley (Co-chairs), Professor Leann Tilley (Secretary), A/Professor Mike Ryan (Chair, Scientific Program Committee) and Professor Marilyn Anderson (Treasurer) will be the major organisers of the meeting.

For more information, please see the OzBio2010 website.