Premier's award for protein researcher

Research by a Monash University academic into a family of proteins called serpins and their role in controlling cell growth has earned him the 2003 Victorian Premier's Award for Medical Research.

Dr James Irving, a research fellow in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, was presented with his award by Victorian Premier Mr Steve Bracks at a ceremony at Government House recently. The annual award recognises outstanding work by young Victorian scientists and provides some practical help to encourage them to continue their careers. Dr Irving has studied a protein called MENT that is capable of switching off large sections of DNA. The protein is part of the serpin family.

"In humans, serpin dysfunction contributes to diseases as diverse as emphysema, cirrhosis, breast cancer and thrombosis," Dr Irving said. "My research examined the way in which the serpin MENT causes the chromatin in cells to condense, thereby stopping cell growth and division."

One of the major challenges for today's scientists is understanding the factors that control cell growth. Dr Irving employed a variety of techniques from fields including biochemistry, structural biology and bioinformatics.

Item provided courtesy of Monash University