Australia Launches First National Gene Research Facility
The world's first generic genome research centre undertaking DNA analysis on a broad spectrum of organisms was officially opened by the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Services Dr. Michael Wooldridge today.
The Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) jointly centred in Brisbane, at the University of Queensland, and in Melbourne, at The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, will become the hub of large scale genomic research for biotechnology industries in the South East Asian region.
The centre, which was established through a $10m grant from the Federal Government with additional support from the Victorian and Queensland Governments will enable Australia to take advantage of cutting edge technology and join in the international genomic revolution.
Dr Wooldridge opened the centre in a satellite link-up ceremony between the Melbourne and Brisbane facilities. Among the official guests were the Hon. Jim Elder, Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, the Hon. Rob Knowles, the Victorian Minsiter for Health , and Dr J. Craig Venter, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Celera Genomics Corporation in California and a leading international genomic research expert.
"The world is on the brink of the greatest period of biological discovery in human history. The establishment of the AGRF as a national facility will give Australian scientists access to cutting edge technology and help them remain competitive with the leading research institutions around the world," Dr Wooldridge said today.
University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay praised the Federal Government for its strategic vision in financially supporting the AGRF. "This sends a signal internationally that Australia is a serious player in one of the new millennium's most promising and exciting areas of knowledge discovery," said Professor Hay.
"The facility will be an essential addition to the national science infrastructure and will repay the investment many fold. It represents a milestone in the development of an internationally competitive Australian biotechnology industry."
The AGRF enables Australian researchers to conduct large-scale genetic analysis in Australia, rather than having to purchase the expertise overseas, or collaborate with overseas institutions. It is also the first generic genome centre in the world undertaking DNA analysis on a broad spectrum of organisms, rather than being dedicated to a particular organism.
Current research includes a study of inherited genes in glaucoma, a family heart study and research into the genetic susceptibility to endometriosis.
Future research conducted via the AGRF will identify genes that may lead to new biomedical, agricultural and microbiological products and services, such as gene therapies, diagnostic tests, pharmaceutical products and breeding programs for plants and animals.
The facility will also conduct high throughput genotyping, which is an emerging technique in genetic research that has broad application in medicine, veterinary medicine and agriculture. Genotyping studies will result in faster, more accurate diagnosis of disease. In certain cases, such as breast cancer, glaucoma, or colon cancer, genotyping will allow pre-diagnosis of disease susceptibility. In farming and agriculture, genotyping will lead to the rapid identification of natural variants. Commercially viable characteristics, such as disease resistance, high yield, or insect resistance can be identified and used in marker assisted breeding.
AGRF Director Professor John Mattick of the University of Queensland said that the new facility is expected to position Australia in the biotechnology revolution. "Genomics is now being recognised as the Third Technology Revolution, after the Industrial Revolution and Information Technology Revolution. As a result ?Time Magazine' recently labelled the 21st century as the Biotechnology Century," he said.
"The technology of genomics is moving so rapidly that unless Australia starts to contribute to the field at this stage, we will become scientifically obsolete and lose enormous opportunities for further development of our economy," said Prof Mattick.
Professor Suzanne Cory, Director, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research said that the AGRF was a critical step towards advancing Australia's contribution to science and medicine internationally.
"While Australia has already established some considerable genetic resources, large-scale genomic science is crucial for the development of Australian biotechnology industries. Currently there are no industry-funded genome research projects in Australia," said Professor Cory.
The facility will offer user-pay services to an enormous range of organisations, from biological and medical departments of universities and teaching hospitals to major pharmaceutical companies, the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, the CSIRO, Cooperative Research Centres and the State Departments of Primary Industry in Australia and internationally.
The laboratories are fitted out with the latest robotic equipment supplied by the Canadian company CRS Robotics. This sophisticated liquid handling robotics enables tens of thousands of samples to be processed daily. The robotics represent a new age in modern biology because of the sheer volume of processes it is able to perform without manual intervention.
The launch of the AGRF coincides with the annual scientific meeting of the Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) which is being hosted by the Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Queensland, 27-30 March 1999. Dr J. Craig Venter, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Celera Genomics Corporation, and a leading international genomic research expert and special guest at the HUGO meeting, delivered the keynote address at the AGRF launch.
For further information contact
Professor John Mattick telephone 61 7 3365 4446
