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Media Release
$104 MILLION BOOST FOR FRONTIER MEDICAL RESEARCH
18 February, 2005 MIN 1050/05
Australia’s medical research capability has been further strengthened with today’s opening of the Australian Stem Cell Centre’s Major National Research Facility (MNRF) at Monash University.
The search for new treatments for some of the major diseases afflicting humanity will be boosted with the Australian Government’s $5.5 million contribution to the Facility, in addition to funding of $98.55 million for the Australian Stem Cell Centre under Backing Australia’s Ability. This investment of more than $104 million provides a critical foundation for Australia’s world-class stem cell science capabilities.
Australian researchers are working at the frontiers of stem cell science, activating stem cells within a patient’s own body or delivering therapies derived from stem cells grown in a laboratory to regenerate human tissue.
The ability of stem cells to replace damaged or diseased cells, and the significant potential to induce stem cells to develop into different tissue types, account for the high level of interest and investment in stem cell research. The understanding of how cell transition occurs is providing insights into how genes are switched on and off under normal conditions and in disease states such as cancer.
The range of applications that could potentially benefit from treatments developed from stem cell technologies include:
- Congestive heart failure or heart disease (an estimated 15 million patients worldwide)
- Type 1 diabetes (an estimated 36 million patients worldwide)
- Neurodegenerative disorders (an estimated 3% of people aged 65-74, and nearly 50% of those aged over 85, are affected)
- Osteoporosis (an estimated 30 million patients worldwide)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or lung disease (an estimated 600 million patients worldwide)
Also opened today was the Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratory (MISCL), which is located in the same world-class precinct and aims to deliver a major research initiative for Monash University in the area of regenerative medicine utilising stem cells, immunology and reproductive medicine.
The Australian Stem Cell Centre draws together researchers from Monash University, the University of Adelaide, the University of NSW, the University of Queensland, the Howard Florey Institute, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.
This new facility is part of a major Australian Government drive to build research infrastructure, with $542 million to be invested over seven years under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.
The Howard Government’s continuing commitment to the creation of new knowledge and innovation through research is reflected in Backing Australia’s Ability – Building our Future through Science and Innovation, a package totalling $5.3 billion over seven years from 2004-05.
Media Contacts:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Yaron Finkelstein 0414 927 663
Dept of Education, Science & Training: Jenni Hudson 02 6240 7732
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