State governments fund research initiatives

Speaking at BIO 2005 in Philadelphia, Victorian premier Steve Bracks announced a new AUD$63 million initiative to fund the new Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative (VNI).

Bracks said the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) would provide $60 million and the Victorian government would contribute another $3 million over five years to boost research into brain and spinal nerve injuries in Victoria.

The $63 million initiative will fund new equipment in ambulances; training of staff on new procedures in trauma response; research into trauma response and practice; clinical spinal restoration research; and a Neurotrauma Research and Development Initiative coordinated by Neurosciences Victoria.

The Victorian Trauma Foundation (VTF), TAC and Neurosciences Victoria (NSV) will work with the Victorian Departments of Health; and Innovation, Industry and Regional Development to provide a comprehensive program under the VNI.

Queensland research facilities funded

Meanwhile, the Queensland premier, Peter Beattie, who is also at BIO 2005, has announced the Queensland government will provide AUD$5 million towards the $17 million Queensland Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Network at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, $5 million towards creating a $33 million Tropical Science and Innovation Precinct at James Cook University in Townsville, $20 million to a University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, and $1.5 million to help improve research facilities on the Great Barrier Reef.

The funding is being provided under the current round of the Smart State Research Facilities Fund.

The funding for the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Network will be used to purchase three systems: a 900 MHz high-resolution spectrometer for biomolecular studies; a 700 MHz wide-bore microimaging system for creating detailed images of intact biological specimens; and a 600 MHz high-throughput system incorporating hyphenated analytical technology (LC-MS) for use in biodiscovery and bioprospecting.

The Tropical Science and Innovation Precinct, which includes James Cook University, the CSIRO, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, will conduct research programs on vegetation and ecosystems management, intensive production systems in tropical landscapes, and marine and coastal processes and production systems.

The Australian Museum is spending $9 million upgrading Lizard Island Research Station, the northernmost research station on the Great Barrier Reef, providing coral reef researchers easy access to the tropical marine environment. The $1.5 million from the Queensland government will be used to expand laboratory capacity, extend the research aquarium, as well as expand and upgrade boating and diving facilities.

The UQ clinical research Centre, which also received $20 million from the University of Queensland and $20 million from an American philanthropic foundation, will provide a focus for clinical research in cancer, genetic diseases, infectious diseases, population health risks, critical care, clinical neurosciences and psychiatry, and other areas of chronic disease management, including renal, orthopaedic and vascular disorders.

Beattie is leading a nine-day trade, biotechnology and investment mission to the USA and Italy. More than 80 business and biotech leaders will accompany him on various sections of the mission.