abnmini-0803-001 · skills required for modern biotechnology, and incorporate input from industry experts. Research programs with the Biotechnology staff in the School of Medicine

education

Australian Biotechnology News is published by IDG.

2003

OPPORTUNITIES AT AUSTRALIA’S LEADING UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES

Australian Biotechnology News Education Minibook2003

Biotechnology at Flinders UniversityBachelor of Biotechnology (Honours) 4 years or 3 years with advanced entryBachelor of Biotechnology/Law 5.5 yearsMaster of Biotechnology 1.5 yearsGraduate Certificate in Biotechnology 2 yearsThe Bachelor of Biotechnology is a 4-year integrated Honours program at Flinders University offered jointly by the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Medicine. It was established in 1991, making it one of the first specialised Biotechnology awards in Australia. Subsequently, a combined degrees program in Biotechnology/Law and a Masters program have been introduced. All the Biotechnology awards provide training in scientific, entrepreneurial, ethical and research skills required for modern biotechnology, and incorporate input from industry experts. Research programs with the Biotechnology staff in the School of Medicine include:• Manipulation of biosynthetic and

post-biosynthetic pathways of stilbenes in plant cell culture (CRC for Bioproducts)

• Characterisation of novel endophytic interactions of actinomycetes

• Effects of xenobiotics on human reproduction• Assessment of protection and mutagenic

damage of human cells by xenobiotics and food ingredients

Scholarships: PhD Top-up valued at $4000 p.a. for 3 years. Honours and summer vacation scholarships are available.

CONTACT DETAILSWebsite: http://www.flinders.edu.au/courses/postgrad/biotech.htmhttp://som.flinders.edu.au/depart/depart.htmEmail: [email protected]

Additional projects are offered by a new University-funded initiative entitled:Molecular structures for rational design of therapeutic and agricultural agentsWithin the Biosciences Laboratories in the School of Biological Sciences a group of researchers aim to characterise the molecular structures and biochemistry of selected proteins that are good targets for therapeutic and agricultural agents. Postgraduate students have access to excellent laboratory-based equipment and facilities (including X-ray diffraction and mass spectrometry) and unique pilot scale research facilities established with industry partners. Within this newly established program, honours and PhD positions are now available in the following project areas:• Malarial pyrimidine enzymes as a base for

rational drug design • Interaction between the DPIV family of

proteases and DPIV inhibitors and substrates• Oxidative Stress Related Enzymes in

Tuna Aquaculture• Mitochondrial electron transport enzymes

as target sites for antimicrobial agents• Structural studies of plant disease

resistance proteins.PhD Top-up Scholarships valued at $4000 p.a. for 3 years and Honours scholarships valued at $2000 and summer vacation scholarships are available.

CONTACT DETAILSWeb site: http://www.scieng.flinders.edu.au/biology/research/index.htmlEmail: [email protected]

FLIN

DERS

UNI

VERS

ITY

1

FROM THE EDITOR

Australian Biotechnology News Education Minibook 2003

IAIN SCOTT

Australian National University 37Baker Heart Research Institute 17Charles Sturt University 21Children’s Cancer Institute 2-3Curtin University of Technology 23Flinders University IFCInstitute for Molecular Bioscience 27John Curtin School of Medical Research 43La Trobe University 13Macquarie University 14-15National Stem Cell Centre 29Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute 25Plant Biotechnology Centre, Department of Primary Industries 19

Welcome to the second annual Higher Education Minibook to be published by Australian Biotechnology News.

Finding the right science course is hard. We intend this minibook to make the job a little easier – by giving universities the chance to present the most relevant information about their courses to would-be students.

Importantly, this issue of the minibook is also being distributed to secondary school science students around Australia, so they also have a chance to make better choices about the course that is right for them.

Every week, Australian Biotechnology News presents news of the latest research to come from Australian and international institutes. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the magazine, we’ve included some examples of our stories here, as well as some fresh stories on important topics for students – why mentoring is key, what makes a great science student, and the growing role of TAFE courses.

We hope you find that the information provided here by the various universities is useful.

If you have any comments to make about this minibook, please feel free to drop me a line. In the years to come, we want this publication to be an invaluable tool for the tertiary life science community, and your input is important to us.

[email protected]

Back to school

Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research 9Queensland University of Technology 39RMIT University 6-7Torrens Valley TAFE 41University of Melbourne 10-11University of NSW 30-31University of Queensland 34-35University of Technology, Sydney IBCVictor Chang Cardiac Research Institute 45Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research OBCWestern Australian Biomedical Research Institute 23Western Australian Institute for Medical Research 5

Index to advertisers

2

CHILD

REN’

S CA

NCER

INST

ITUT

E AU

STRA

LIA

Australian Biotechnology News Education Minibook2003

Organisation’s ActivitiesChildren’s Cancer Institute Australia is the only independent medical research institute in Australia solely devoted to research into the causes, prevention and cure of childhood cancer.

It has established a national and international reputation for research excellence, receives numerous prestigious peer-reviewed grants from national and international bodies, and is increasingly attracting leading Australian scientists to join its fast-growing staff.

The top-grade laboratory and office facilities at the Institute provide for a very satisfying and rewarding work environment.

Strict OH&S policies ensure safe and comfortable working conditions, and staff have access to the latest medical and information technology and publications.

Each staff member has their own fully-equipped work area including a personal computer. The institute has an exceptional research support team which provides a range of essential laboratory and administrative services.

Research OverviewResearch is organised into six major areas.

Experimental TherapeuticsThis program aims to improve childhood

cancer survival rates by investigating why current treatments are not always effective and by identifying new, more effective therapies. In particular; our work focuses on the causes of treatment failure in children with the solid tumour neuroblastoma and the most common childhood malignancy, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

Molecular CarcinogenesisThe goal of this program is to develop our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that initiate and perpetuate childhood cancer. With this improved understanding will come better diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Our research focuses on neuroblastoma; however, the information we generate is relevant to a number of other childhood and adult malignancies.

Molecular DiagnosticsThis program aims to improve the diagnosis and risk-classification of childhood cancer using molecular genetic technology. Research is undertaken into the molecular detection of minimal residual disease in children with leukaemia, and studies in molecular epidemiology are also being conducted to investigate the causes and possible prevention of childhood cancer. A new area of research involves high throughput screening

A Great Place to StudyChildren’s Cancer Institute Australia is closely affiliated with both the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick. It is a key biologic reference center for the Australian and New Zealand Children’s Cancer Study Group, and collaborates with numerous leading research teams in Australia and overseas, including the Children’s Oncology Group of America.

3

CHILDREN’S CANCER INSTITUTE AUSTRALIA


of small molecule chemical libraries in order to identify specific inhibitors of gene targets for use as potential therapeutic agents.

Leukaemia BiologyThe goal of this program is to facilitate improvements in the treatment of childhood ALL. Our research effort has focused on developing a clinically-relevant experimental model of childhood ALL, which we are using to investigate how leukaemias develop resistance to anti-cancer drugs and to test new drugs that show promise as potential novel therapeutics.

Stem Cell BiologyOne fundamental difference between cancer cells and normal cells is that cancer cells have a finite lifespan, whereas cancer cells are immortal, growing without restriction. The broad aim of our research is to define the mechanisms that control human cell lifespan. This knowledge will then be used manipulate cellular mortality and to develop new models of childhood cancer and leukaemia, which can be used for testing gene targeted therapeutics.

Iron Metabolism & ChelationThis program is investigating iron metabolism and its role in tumour cell growth. Research focuses on the therapeutic value of iron chelators which make iron inaccessible to tumour cells, thereby restricting their growth. These investigations are relevant to several areas of childhood cancer.

Student OpportunitiesThe Institute is committed to developing and fostering the careers of young scientists. We have a very strong record of successfully training Honours, MD and PhD students through our affiliation with UNSW.

Several generous scholarships are available for PhD students, while Honours and summer vacation scholarships are available for students interested in conducting research during the university break.

Contact UsChildren’s Cancer Institute Australia PO Box 81RANDWICK NSW 2031Phone: +61 2 9382 1829Fax: +61 2 0382 1850Email: [email protected]: www.ccia.org.au

4

CONT

ENTS


Editor: Iain Scott (02) 9902 [email protected]

Journalists: Graeme O’Neill, Melissa Trudinger, Jeremy Torr

Sub-Editor: Jerzy FarynskiProduction Designer: Lynette GoodAdvertising Designer: Mark Maric

Photographer: Ian SharpEditorial Advisory Board

Professor Peter Andrews, Dr TJ Higgins, Dr Shirley Lanning, Dr Tim Littlejohn,

John Martin, Dr Merilyn Sleigh, Dr Sally Warneford

Workflow Manager:Cheryl Podda (02) 9902 2757

Display Coordinator: Rachael Rodwell

SALES CONTACTSVice-President:

Andrew Birmingham (02) 9902 2779 [email protected]

Recruitment and Classified Advertising:Barry McGhee — NSW, Qld, ACT

(02) 9902 2708 [email protected] Adams — Vic, Tas, SA, WA

(03) 9681 3064 [email protected]

IDG Communications Pty Ltd (IDG) is the publisher of this magazine and its Web site

(http://www.biotechnews.com.au). If you choose to accept offers, enter competitions or complete surveys contained within them you may be required to provide

information about yourself to IDG. IDG will use this information to provide you with products or services

you have requested, and may supply your information to contractors that help IDG to do this. IDG may also use

your information to inform you of other IDG publications, products, services and events, or give your information

to organisations that are providing special prizes or offers and that are clearly associated with the offer.

Unless you tell us not to, we may give your information to other organisations that may use it to inform you about

other products, services or events or to give to other organisations that may use if for this purpose. To gain access to the information IDG holds about you, please

contact IDG’s Privacy Officer at IDG Communications Pty Ltd, 88 Christie Street, St Leonards NSW 2065.

inside...

Australian Biotechnology News ispublished by IDG Communications Pty Ltd A.B.N. 14 001 592 650Sydney: (02) 9439 5133 Melbourne: (03) 9690 2933

Web directory 8

12

18

22

28

32

40

44

Careers

TAFE Courses

University News

Mentors

The Scientists

Biotech by Degree

Recruitment

5Australian Biotechnology News Education Minibook 2003

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE FOR M

EDICAL RESEARCH

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH INC (WAIMR)

The Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) was established in March 1998. The founding partners were The University of Western Australia (UWA) and Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH). The founding sponsor was Wesfarmers Limited. The vision of WAIMR is to become an international leader in biomedical research that results in improved health care in Western Australia. WAIMR is a multi-campus Institute with research laboratories situated at the RPH Campus and the SCGH Campus. Researchers within

laboratories built and maintained by WAIMR form the Intramural Division of the Institute. WAIMR has built 15 new laboratory modules and 5 clinical research rooms on its 2 campuses. There are over 100 researchers within the WAIMR intramural facilities and over the past 18 months WAIMR has been involved in the appointment of 6 new Professorial positions. Other researchers involved in collaborative research projects located throughout Perth’s University and Hospital campuses form the Extramural Division.

Key Areas of ResearchThere are currently four Programs that constitute the core research efforts of WAIMR: • Cancer Program studies the causes of cancer and leukemia, particularly identification

and regulation of cancer-causing genes. • Neuroscience/Neurotrauma Program studies the genetic causes of numerous

diseases (including mental illness and neuromuscular disorders), and how damaged nerves are repaired.

• Cardiovascular/Respiratory Program studies the mechanisms of heart attacks, atherosclerosis and asthma.

• Endocrinology Program studies the mechanisms of hormone action and osteoporosis.

Facilities & Expertise • MicroArray facility• Bioluminescence Resonance Energy

Transfer (BRET) • Yeast two hybrid and three hybrid screens• Molecular cellular biology/molecular genetic

expertise• Genetic epidemiology expertise• Clinical research expertise • WA Research Tissue Network• Genomic analyses

CONTACT DETAILSTelephone number: +61 (08) 9224.0334Address: Level 6 Medical Research Foundation Building, Rear 50 Murray Street, Perth WA 6000Web site: www.waimr.uwa.edu.auEmail: [email protected] of Contact: Prof Peter Klinken

6 Australian Biotechnology News Education Minibook2003

Department of Biotechnology & Environmental Biology

The Department has a wide range of staff expertise and research interests, over $2m per year in external research funding and about 100 research students enrolled each year. The multidisciplinary nature of the staff ensures innovative approaches to research projects as varied as molecular-based diagnostics for human, animal and plant disease, genetically engineered attenuated vaccines and plants, aquaculture, food and medical microbiology, virology, scale-up technologies and biotechnology-based environmental assays.

Research students, ranging from Honours to Masters and PhD, complete a program of research under expert supervision in one of the Department’s areas of strength. The Department has much staff expertise and an abiding interest in ensuring that research students receive individual training and supervision, as evidenced by many Ph.D. and Master by research completions.

Master of Biotechnology (incorporating Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate awards)This program offers students a flexible choice of subjects in four streams: Medical & Veterinary Microbiology, Food Microbiology, Environmental & Agricultural Biotechnology, and Aquaculture & Ecotoxicology. Students may also mix subjects from these streams for individual needs. Masters by coursework students may also undertake a minor thesis in one of the research areas described above.

Master of Biotechnology & BusinessThis program offers students a flexible choice of subjects in business and biotechnology. Students study a combination of subjects to gain the ability to manage the business aspects of biotechnology from a knowledge of both areas. Subjects offered include a range of subjects from the Master of Biotechnology and from the Master of Business, as well as unique subjects.

CONTACT DETAILSTelephone number: +61 3 9925 7104Fax Number: +61 3 9925 7110Address: Plenty Road, Bundoora. VictoriaWeb site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/biotechnologyEmail: [email protected] of Contacts: A/Profs Ann Lawrie (Res.), Margaret Deighton (M.Biotech.), Gina Nicoletti (M.Biotech.Bus)

RMIT

UNI

VERS

ITY


The School of Medical Sciences at RMIT University comprises the Divisions of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Radiations, Exercise Sciences and Human Movement and the RMIT Drug Discovery Technologies company. The School has been at the forefront of the expansion of biomedical research at RMIT and contains several internationally recognized research groups.

Honours, Masters and PhD studiesThe multi-disciplinary nature of its scientific base offers unparalleled opportunities to conduct leading-edge biotechnology and biomedical research. Post graduate awards by research can be taken as full-time and part-time. Research areas offered at the Honours, Master and PhD levels are:• Drug Research and Development• Neuroscience• Diabetes• Microvascular Physiology• Toxicology• Natural Products • Haematology• Exercise Sciences• Medical Radiations• Physiology Group

Graduate Diploma in Laboratory MedicineThis program aims to provide graduates in science or applied science with a vocationally oriented graduate diploma that will prepare them for employment in diagnostic pathology and medical research. Offered as full time and part-time studies, graduates enjoy a balanced program that provides both understanding and essential practice skills in the key disciplines of laboratory medicine.

• Master in Medical Science• Graduate Diploma/Master in ToxicologyThese programs are fully online and have no on-campus attendance and so are suitable for graduates living and working anywhere in the world. They are offered as part-time, course-work study and have semester one and two intakes, making them even more flexible and available for working students.

CONTACT DETAILSTelephone number: +61 3 9925 7075Fax Number: +61 3 9925 7073Address: Plenty Road, Bundoora, VictoriaWeb site: http//www.rmit.edu.au/medical-sciencesEmail: [email protected]

RMIT School of Medical Sciences

RMIT UNIVERSITY

8

WEB

DIR

ECTO

RY


Surfing the universities

The University of Adelaidewww.adelaide.edu.au

The Australian National Universitywww.anu.edu.au

University of Ballaratwww.ballarat.edu.au

Bond Universitywww.bond.edu.au

Charles Sturt Universitywww.csu.edu.au

Curtin University of Technologywww.curtin.edu.au

Deakin Universitywww.deakin.edu.au

Edith Cowan Universitywww.ecu.edu.au

Flinders Universitywww.flinders.edu.au

Griffith Universitywww.gu.edu.au

James Cook Universitywww.jcu.edu.au

La Trobe Universitywww.latrobe.edu.au

Macquarie Universitywww.mq.edu.au

The University of Melbourne www.unimelb.edu.au

Monash Universitywww.monash.edu.au

Murdoch Universitywww.murdoch.edu.au

The University of Newcastle www.newcastle.edu.au

The University of New Englandwww.une.edu.au

The University of New South Waleswww.unsw.edu.au

Northern Territory Universitywww.ntu.edu.au

The University of Queenslandwww.uq.edu.au

Queensland University of Technologywww.qut.edu.au

RMITwww.rmit.edu.au

University of South Australiawww.unisa.edu.au

Southern Cross Universitywww.scu.edu.au

University of Southern Queenslandwww.usq.edu.au

Swinburne University of Technologywww.swin.edu.au

University of the Sunshine Coastwww.usc.edu.au

The University of Sydneywww.usyd.edu.au

The University of Tasmaniawww.utas.edu.au

The University of Technology, Sydneywww.uts.edu.au

Victoria University www.vu.edu.au

The University of Western Sydneywww.uws.edu.au

The University of Western Australia www.uwa.edu.au

The University of Wollongong www.uow.edu.au

Most Australian universities’ websites contain a large amount of information about their science courses and fields of research. Here is a

listing of universities with life science offerings


PRINCE HENRY’S INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH

Study opportunities in Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences

Exciting study experienceThe University of Melbourne is a top-ranking Australian tertiary institution consistently achieving Australia’s highest rateof biomedical research funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council. The Faculty of Medicine,Dentistry and Health Sciences provides one of the best locations for undergraduate and postgraduate study inmedicine and life sciences in Australia.The faculty is centred in Australia’s most highly concentrated precinct of medicalresearch institutes, hospitals, university departments and knowledge-based industries. It is also close to cosmopolitanLygon Street and the city centre, so you can enjoy a great lifestyle along with an exciting study experience.

A strong teaching and research recordThe faculty offers a stimulating multidisciplinary environment for your studies. Undergraduate courses as well aspostgraduate coursework and research programs are available in the areas of medicine, the life sciences, populationhealth, nursing, dental science, physiotherapy, behavioural science (psychology) and rural health.

Star teaching and research staffNobel Laureates Professor Peter Doherty (1996 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine) and Professor BertSakmann (1991 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine) have appointments in the faculty under the university’sEminent Scholars program.The high quality and breadth of the faculty’s research informs the teaching programsand provides you with excellent academic teaching staff.

Your professional degreeYou will have access to an extensive network of national, international and interdisciplinary connections throughthe faculty’s teaching and research programs.

Excellent professional networks in biotechnology and life sciences will help to guide you in yourstudies. Once you complete your study program in the faculty, you will be equipped with aprestigious professional degree and the skills and experience to support your future career path.

Information on our courses can be found at:www.medfac.unimelb.edu.au/med/For research program enquiries email: [email protected]

M52520

Postgraduate Research in Life SciencesThe Faculty of Science at The University of Melbourne offers postgraduate study opportunities for outstandingstudents in the Life Sciences.

Victorian Centre for Plant Functional GenomicsAustralian Centre for Plant Functional GenomicsGRDC Centre for Functional Genomics in theGrowth & End-Use Quality of CerealsThe staff of these centres have world-class expertise in cell and molecular biology, plant biotechnology andstructural biology. Research relies on state-of-the-art analytical (gene and protein sequencers, GC/MS, ESI-MS/MS,MALDI-TOF-MS, GC-TOF MS) and microscopy (light, fluorescence and EM) facilities. PhD enquiries are welcome.For more information see: www.plantcell.unimelb.edu.au/

Contact Dr Ed Newbigin: [email protected] or Prof.Tony Bacic: [email protected]

Department of GeneticsCentre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation ResearchThe only stand-alone Genetics Department in Australia welcomes PhD applications from outstanding students.Research investigations cover a wide range including gene control mechanisms, genetics of neurologicalprocesses, genetics of sex determination, genetics of development, genetics of insecticide resistance and genetics of resistance/transport related to copper and other heavy metals. Further details at: www.genetics.unimelb.edu.au

Contact Dr Len Kelly: [email protected]

Department of ZoologyZoology at Melbourne has a vigorous research program with interests ranging from the structure and function of single cells through to the ecology, reproduction, development and evolution of animals. Exciting research into the kangaroo genome presents many new opportunities. See our website: www.zoology.unimelb.edu.au/

Contact Assoc. Prof. Michael Keough: [email protected]

ScholarshipsScholarships and ‘top-up’ scholarships are available to high-achieving students. Additional fundsare generally available to allow students to attend national or international conferences.

For Scholarship information, see: www.services.unimelb.edu.au/scholarships/pgrad/

31st October is the closing date for Scholarship Applications.

www.science.unimelb.edu.au

M52520

12

CARE

ERS


M aking the move into a biotech career can be done a few different ways. First a basic degree, then a

higher degree, then lots of research, and then a fully f ledged biotech career in either commerce or academia. Or straight from a degree into an operating business. Or even a sideways move from a busi-ness discipline into a biotech company. Whichever route is taken, one aspect is absolutely essential – an understanding of the issues surrounding the science.

“This means under-standing the regulatory processes, the genesis of new products, business methods, intel-lectual property application and management, money raising and access, ethics and a whole lot more,” says Prof Peter Gray, head of department of biotechnology at the UNSW.

“You need a science background, but there is an increasing demand for [students] to have a business grounding too.”

Gray’s department, a long with others around Australia, has recognised the demands of new industry develop-ments, and has responded with a brace of courses aimed at students needing specific education in newly emerging areas of biotech.

UNSW is now offering specif ic courses on bioinformatics and biopharmaceuticals, both aimed at students committed to not just a

science career, but a business career.

“Biopharmaceuticals in particular is going through a revolution,”

notes Gray. He cites the increasing number of biopharmaceutcals now approved for human use, new recom-binant biopharmaceuticals, and recent developments in gene therapy as major influences.

“All these are new areas and need looking at for people wanting to go into that area of the industry.”

‘Biopharmaceuticals in particular is going through

a revolution’

Jeremy Torr finds out how to move into a biotech career

Continued on page 16

Making the trade grade


Name of Organisation: Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe UniversityResearch: There are currently 10 research groups in the Department of Biochemistry with extensive collaborations with international and Australian research groups in hospitals, and the pharmaceutical and agricultural industry. Research is funded by external grants totalling more than $2-million annually. Granting bodies include two Co-operative Research Centres (Diagnostics and Vaccine Technologies), the Australian Research Council, National Health & Research Council and international sources.

Major fields of research include:• Anti-cancer drugs • Insect resistance in plants • Cell wall synthesis• Malaria and red blood cells• Mitochondrial biogenesis and disease• Molecular chaperones and cell stress• Multiple sclerosis• Plant bioactive defence compounds• Proteomics• VaccinesResearch strengths underpin the interactive Biochemistry teaching program, which aims to introduce students to relevant and interesting principles and techniques in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology.

The Department is involved in the following undergraduate courses:• Bachelor of Science• Bachelor of Biological Science • Bachelor of Bioinformatics• Bachelor of Medical ScienceMasters in Bioinformatics & Biotechnology: This 18-month course will commence in mid-2004. It will contain lectures on advanced topics as well as a strong research component.The Department also conducts Honours and PhD programs by research and welcomes enquiries from suitably qualified graduates.

CONTACT DETAILSTelephone number: +61 (0)3 9479 2196Fax Number: +61 (0)3 9479 2467Web site: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/biochemistry/ Email: [email protected]

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY

14 Australian Biotechnology News Education Minibook 2003

MAC

QUAR

IE UN

IVER

SITY

Macquarie University offers a Master of Biotechnology program with a strong interdisciplinary and practical focus, consisting of both coursework and laboratory components and reflective of the needs of the marketplace. In the final semester of the Masters program, students will have the opportunity to undertake a substantive research project, based in either the university laboratories or in industry placements, supervised jointly by university academic staff and industry experts.

The Master’s program will: • Provide students with a sound knowledge base in individual discipline

domains as well as real-world application skills;• Provide students with an understanding of the multidisciplinary approach

required in biotechnology practice and research;• Meet the biotechnology industry’s requirement for graduates with

scientific and technical skills, and with skills in problem solving, critical and analytical thinking, and teamwork.

• Provide direct educational linkage to Macquarie University's world-recognized excellence in molecular sciences

• Provide appropriate scientific background for core areas of contemporary biotechnology, including proteomics and bioinformatics

This program it draws on expertise acro ss discipline areas relevant to the application of Biotechnology. It consists of units of study offered by Biology, Chemistry, Philosophy, Computing and Economics and Financial Studies. It has an Entrepreneurship unit and an Ethics unit, in clear recognition of the need to provide more than technical competencies to graduates. For further details contact the Program Coordinator, Associate Professor Helena Nevalainen - [email protected]

In the area of research Macquarie University has a distinctive Biotechnology program now extended by the formation of the multi-disciplinary Biotechnology Research Institute seehttp://www.biotechnology.mq.edu.au and including other disciplines such as Statistics and Physics. Proteomics is a particular strength as the Macquarie is the home base of APAF (http://www.proteome.org.au/) the Major National Research Facility in Proteomics. A new initiative is a professorial appointment in Bioinformatics in a series of strategic moves to strengthen biotechnology teaching and research. These new developments contribute to our role as a research provider in the newly-established CRC for Environmental Biotechnology. A major focus


MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY

of research is in bioprospecting for new chemical reagents and biocatalysts and the exploitation of industrial and environmental microbiology. The Australian Centre for Astrobiology, an Associate of NASA, has a role in providing access to bioprospecting on Earth and in Space. It includes the world–renowned natural philosopher, Professor Paul Davies and palaeontologist, Professor Malcolm Walter. There are approximately 75 staff involved in biotechnology research and 40 postgraduate students. There are Postgraduate scholarships available, see http://www.biotechnology.mq.edu.au and http://www.bio.mq.edu.au. A number of scholarships are also available through the Institute from the Environmental Biotechnology CRC: see http://www.envirobiotechcrc.com.au/.

Macquarie University is home to the Australian Proteome Analysis Facility (APAF Ltd). Analysing the complexity of the proteome requires experienced personnel with access to the latest and most advanced equipment. Both of these criteria are available within APAF which also includes nodes at The Universities of Sydney and New South Wales as well as TGR Biosciences in Adelaide. As a Major National Research Facility, APAF, have the resources to assist you in your research.

Recent collaborations have included areas of research covering;Insights into Drug resistance in Cancer ChemotherapyProteomics of antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureusProtein modifications in injured heart tissueNovel links in growth factor regulation of the CytoskeletonProteomics of quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosaProteomic Analysis profile in human brain Proteomics of WheatFunctional Proteomics of Barley Proteomic analysis of yeast strainsTechnical advances in protein chemistry

For information on collaborations and/or contract work you may require, please contact us via our website or by telephone on (02) 9850 8272 Mr. Lindsay Woods – Business Development Manager.

www.proteome.org.au"Bringing proteins to life and life to proteins"

16

CARE

ERS


UNSW offers courses which cover these areas, but even more importantly address practical aspects of running day to day aspects in a working biotech. “The courses draw on the personal experience of people working in biotechs in the field. These are people who are working with issues on a regular basis as part of their businesses,” Gray says.

Expansion of scienceThis expansion of science courses to cover fundamental business issues is one that Dr Dianne Glenn, senior lec-turer in the school of biotechnology and biomedical sciences at UNSW, is keen to emphasise.

“We have a new course aimed spe-cifically at the biotech market, called the Entrepreneurs in Science unit. This Innovation Management diploma runs parallel to a bachelor’s course and gives students insights into the practicalities of running a business in the biotech sector,” she says.

The course allows students to gradu-ate with a BSc Hons in whatever specific discipline they choose, and adds to it with the diploma certificate to give them busi-ness insights too.

“The program is designed such that commercial practitioners illustrate lectures and offer information across areas such as legal issues, accounting and regulatory requirements, venture capital and dealing with corporate governance, Glenn says.

Similar ‘real world’ approaches are being introduced at Murdoch University in WA. Undergraduates are given the oppor-tunity not to simply learn about the latest science and techniques currently available, but how they are utilised in practice.

“We are offering a unit we call Advanc-es in Medical science (AIMs),” says Wayne Greene, senior lecturer molecular genetics at Murdoch. “We found that at the end of a course, many students don’t know how all the science fits together – they know the subject, but not how it can be applied.”

Greene’s department has responded with the AIMs unit, which looks at the way particular diseases can be addressed using the various science categories. “We look at how research across things like pro-teomics, genetics, basic biology and so on can all be pulled together to come up with a response to a particular disease.

“We involve other departments and give the students a feel for the realities of disease research,” he says.

Murdoch has found this approach much more useful and productive than simply chopping up the sciences into sub-ject areas: proteomics, genetics and so on, and giving students a tick in the ‘done that’ box when they graduate.

“The subjects taken on their own can be a bit dry, but linked in to research into a specific disease, they become much more understandable and part of real life,”says Greene. ■

Continued from page 12

Peter Gray: Demand increasing for business grounding in science.

Post Graduate Studies at the Baker Heart Research Institute

The Baker Heart Research Institute is the premiercardiovascular research centre in the country, and aWHO Centre for Research & Training. It aims toimprove health by reducing mortality and disabilityresulting from heart and vascular disease. Instituteactivities range from molecular research to clinicaltrials and patient care. The Baker is located in asuperb facility in the new Alfred Medical Researchand Education Precinct, only minutes from centralMelbourne. The precinct provides a vibrant campuswhere students can develop their biomedicalresearch careers at the highest level internationally.

Basic Technologies and Innovations - The Institute’scommitment to world class research is reflected inits state-of-the-art technology including:

■ a sophisticated proteomics facility enablingglobal patterning/expression profiles of proteins

■ a gene therapy unit which employs viral basedvectors and transgenic approaches

■ a confocal microscope facility which analysesmolecular interactions within live cells

■ highly sophisticated surgical and transgenicmodels of heart and vascular diseases

The Alfred and Baker Medical Unit is the centre forclinical research at the Baker and enablestranslation of research findings to clinical practice.Specific platforms include clinical laboratories for

human experimental biology, clinical databases,clinical trial networks and a human gene bank.When coupled with basic approaches, the access tothe clinical environment provides an unrivalledintegrated program in the investigation of thecauses underlying the development and progressionof cardiovascular diseases.

Postgraduate students are central to the ongoingsuccess of the Baker. We are committed to nurturingexcellence and welcome Postgraduate and Honoursstudents across the broad spectrum of researchendeavours. Students with outstandingundergraduate records who attract APA’s orequivalent are rewarded with additional elitefinancial awards.

For more information on our Post Graduate Studies Program contact:Viccy WoottonBaker Heart Research InstitutePO Box 6492, St Kilda Rd CentralMelbourne, Vic Australia 8008Phone +61 3 8532 1164web: www.baker.edu.au

Be better than youdare to imagine.

sx13

59su

gara

dver

tisin

g

18

TAFE

COU

RSES


B iotech education is becoming increasingly important in the TAFE sector, where institutes are

discovering an increasing need to include biotechnology in a variety of courses, from medical and veterinary laboratory science to animal science, horticulture and other agricultural programs.

According to Dr Peter Sheehan, the program manager in the Centre for Biotechnology and Animal Sciences at Melbourne TAFE college Box Hill Institute (BHI), the focus at the centre has shifted to biotechnology over the past few years. A new $18 million facility is being built at BHI to house biotechnology with substantial support from the state government, and biotechnology is being incorporated at every level.

“We’re developing new courses and enhancing existing courses to include biotechnology,” says Sheehan.

Introducing students to the equipment and technology they will face in real-life

employment situations is a priority for the vocationally oriented courses, says Sheehan. In addition to science-based studies, the programs contain units on quality systems, laboratory practices and communications.

Courses from certificate to advanced diploma level are currently available, including bridging courses for students wanting to attend university, and advanced practical courses for students with prior

diplomas or degrees.As TAFE col leges

introduce more biotechnology into their programs, the Victorian government is a lso developing initiatives to

increase technology-focused content. Last year, the Minister for Education and Training, Lynne Kosky, released a statement – Knowledge and Skills for the Innovation Economy – designed to reposition and revitalise the TAFE and vocational educational and training (VET) sector.

TAFEs do it too


Melissa Trudinger discovers that biotechnology education is not restricted to universities alone

‘We’re developing new courses and enhancing

existing courses to include biotechnology’


Address (Physical and Postal): La Trobe University Bundoora Victoria 3086 Australia Phone: +61 3 9479 2995Fax: +61 3 9479 3618WWW: www.dpi.vic.gov.au

Contact: Professor German SpangenbergInstitute [email protected]

Organisation Profile: The Plant Biotechnology Centre is a Research Institute of the Victorian Department of Primary Industries. The Institute, conveniently located at the Bundoora campus of La Trobe University, has over 80 staff and postgraduate research students and a strong research base with skills in plant biotechnology and associated biosciences. The Institute is focused on the development and deployment of genomics, transgenic and molecular marker technologies for plant improvement, and is world-leader in pasture plant biotechnology and genomics. The main Institute services are: a) strategic research in plant functional

genomics, plant gene technology, plant molecular marker technology and computational biology;

b) transfer of new plant biotechnologies and products to commercialization; and

c) training in plant biotechnology at postgraduate level.

Key Research Areas (keywords): Plant Functional Genomics, Bioinformatics, Gene Discovery, Plant Cell and Molecular Biology, Plant Gene Technology, Plant Molecular Marker Technology, Production and Analysis of Transgenic Plants.

Capability: The Institute has infrastructure and systems to undertake ultra high-throughput structural and functional plant genomics research. The equipment base available includes state-of-the-art capability in

biorobotics, ultra-high-throughput DNA sequencing, microarray/DNA chip technology and laboratories for recombinant DNA research, production, analysis and evaluation of transgenic plants, molecular marker research and development with instrumentation for plant genome analysis and ultra-high-throughput genotyping.

Collaborations/Affiliations: The Institute has a range of collaborations and strong affiliations with academia and scientific institutes, both locally and overseas: • Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative

Research Centre• Victorian Microarray Technology Consortium• Bundoora Plant Bioscience Facility• Victorian Bioinformatics Consortium• Victorian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics• Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics• International Lolium Genome Initiative • Swiss Federal Institute of Technology,

Switzerland• Michigan State University, USA• University of Buenos Aires, Argentina• National Institute of Agricultural Technology

INTA, Argentina• National Institute of Agricultural Research

INIA, Uruguay• AgResearch, New Zealand.

Alliances/Commercialisation Opportunities:The Institute has established a joint venture, AgGenomics Pty. Ltd. that offers commercial plant genomics services including high throughput DNA extraction, ultra high throughput DNA sequencing, ultra high throughput genotyping, SNP discovery, detection and analysis. The Institute has also established the spin-off company Phytogene Pty. Ltd. to commercialise proprietary technologies arising from the Institute’s R&D.

Plant Biotechnology Centre – Department of Primary Industries

DEPARTMENT OF PRIM

ARY INDUSTRIES

20

TAFE

COU

RSES


One outcome of the initiative has been the opportunity for TAFE colleges to offer degree programs in niche areas such as biotechnology. BHI is in the process of designing a biotechnology degree, to be submitted for approval later this year.

If approved, the Bachelor of Biotechnology will offer a practically oriented, industry-focussed program for students interested in working in the sector. Practical placements within the industry will be a key part of the program, and industry stakeholder feedback has been sought to determine the type of skills required by the industry.

Hands-on skillsAnd unlike some university-based biotechnology degrees, which are designed to turn out graduates destined for management roles, the BHI course will provide students with hands-on skills in the techniques and equipment used in biotechnology environments as well as knowledge of the business and quality environments found in science business, says Sheehan.

Other areas that will be included are bioinformatics, from an end-user rather

than a programming perspective, and links with the BHI Specialist Centre for Services to Small and Medium Enterprises.

“We’d like to link all of these areas together,” says Sheehan.

Sheehan sees the program as a complement to the existing TAFE diploma courses and research-based university degrees.

BHI has also been given seed funding by the state government to establish a feasibility study for a specialist centre in biotechnology, another part of the Innovation initiative.

Sheehan says the specialist centre would probably be housed at BHI, with links and liaisons to the other TAFE institutes in Victoria, as well as to industry. ■

20


TAFE state weblinks

Website

Victoriawww.tafe.vic.gov.auQueenslandwww.tafe.net/courses

New South Waleswww.tafe.nsw.edu.auWestern Australiawww.tafe.wa.gov.au

South Australiawww.tafe.sa.gov.auTasmaniawww.tafe.tas.edu.auACTwww.cit.act.edu.au

Box Hill InstituteSouthbank InstituteWodonga TAFE

Institute State

Some links to Australian TAFE colleges with biotech courses

www.bhtafe.edu.auwww.southbank.tafe.netwww.wodonga.tafe.edu.au

VictoriaQueenslandVictoria

Website

• Extensive laboratory experience • Collaboration with industry • High graduate employment• Leader in distance education • Course delivery uses latest technology • Internationally recognised

Charles Sturt University’s (CSU) biotechnology courses have a high graduate employment record throughconsistent placements in high profile public and private sector laboratories. Collaboration with industry in thedevelopment of courses and extensive laboratory experience gained by students while studying, which preparesstudents for a wide range of future employment options, contributes to job-ready graduates with improvedemployment prospects.Internationally recognised, CSU leads in distance education with more than 27,000 students studying fromhome or the workplace in Australia and overseas, utilising the latest technology in course delivery. The CSUwebsite acts as a gateway to on-line supported subjects, resources and communication forums for on campusand distance students, greatly enhancing the learning experience.Inquire now for:• Bachelor of Medical & Applied Biotechnology• Bachelor of Medical & Applied Biotechnology/Bachelor of Medical Science• Bachelor of Science (Plant Biotechnology)• Bachelor of Science (Plant Biotechnology)/Bachelor of Information Technology• Master of Corporate Biotechnology – NEW in 2004*• PhDs and Masters by research or coursework*Subject to final approval

STUDY BIOTECHNOLOGY

info.csu1300 135 [email protected]

ON CAMPUS OR BY DISTANCE EDUCATION

22

UNIV

ERSI

TY N

EWS


The best of university researchEvery week,Australian Biotechnology News reports on the latest news and

research from the academic sector. Here are some of the highlights.

UNE to offer bioinformaticsThe University of New England is to offer a course in bioinformatics next year, in recognition of the increased importance of the field for both math-ematicians and biologists.

“We will not initially create a new department for the course,” said Prof Anatoly Ruvinsky, a geneticist at the School of Rural Science and Agriculture

at UNE. “We will build on the existing expertise, energy and knowledge that we have in other departments and offer the course for third-year students of either mathematics and computer science or biological science.”

UNE intends to ultimately establish an Institute of Genetics and Bioinformatics.

July 29, 2003

USyd first to license GTG patentsThe University of Sydney has become the first research institution in Australia to be granted a non-exclusive research licence by Genetic Technologies (GTG) to use its controversial non-coding DNA patents.

The one-off US$1000 (AUD$1510) licence fee covers all researchers at the university using GTG’s patented non-coding DNA analysis methods for the remaining 15-year life of the patents. But any commercial use of the patents by university researchers will require a

separate licence. GTG executive

chairman Dr Mervyn Jacobson said that he was proud to license the patents to one of Australia’s most prominent research institutions.

July 29, 2003

Monash boosted by Agilent equipment grantMonash biomedical science students will get hands-on experience with mass spectrometry thanks to a US$150,000 equipment grant from Agilent Technologies awarded to the School of Biomedical Sciences.

The grant provides for an Agilent LC-MS ion trap mass spec, to be used by 800 of the 2500 students taking courses through the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology each year.

July 18, 2003

Students at Monash University.

Mervyn Jacobson


WESTERN AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTES

The School of Biomedical Sciences offers the following coursework/programs in biotechnology:■ Bachelor of Science (Molecular Genetics)■ Graduate Certificate (Biomedical Sciences — Molecular Genetics Stream) — 1 semester■ Graduate Certificate (Applied Bioinformatics) — 1 semester■ Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Sciences — 2 semesters■ Master of Biomedical Sciences —

3 semesters

The postgraduate programs are available by on-campus and distance education. A degree conversion program for the BSc (Molecular Genetics) is also conducted in Singapore.

In addition the School conducts Honours, Masters and Doctoral programs by research in a range of biotechnology areas.

The School is a founding partner in the Western Australian Biomedical Research Institute.For more information contact:Ms J Talbot Courses Liaison Officer School of Biomedical Sciences Curtin University of Technology. GPO Box U1987 Perth, WA, 6845E-mail: [email protected]: 61 8 9266 7564Fax: 61 8 9266 2342

The School of Biomedical Sciences —Curtin University of Technology

Background:The Western Australian Biomedical Research Institute is a cooperative venture between Curtin University of Technology and Murdoch University, in association with the Chemistry Centre WA.Research:The Institute conducts research into the molecular basis of disease control, targeting diseases such as cancer, diabetes, malaria and other parasitic diseases.Opportunities for postgraduate students:WABRI / Macquarie Bank Postgraduate Scholarships are provided to enhance research into biomedical sciences in the areas of drug delivery and therapeutics for disease intervention. The successful applicants must be accepted to enrol in a PhD at either Curtin University of Technology or Murdoch University as a full-time student in 2004 and be awarded an APA (or CUPS, MURS or hold a competitive postgraduate scholarship). The awards, for three years support,

carry a top-up stipend of $7,000 per year and project support of $6,000 per year.Further details/application information:For information about WABRI, see the website at www.wabri.org.au For information about the Universities, and to apply for scholarships, see the Curtin University of Technology and Murdoch University scholarships websites at:www.scholarships.curtin.edu.auwww.research.murdoch.edu.au/rds/scholsfinance.aspContact details:Director: Professor Simon CarrollTelephone: +61 8 9266 2133E-mail: [email protected]

Western Australian Biomedical Research Institute

24

UNIV

ERSI

TY N

EWS


Monash touts commerce“Monash is making a major commitment to the commercialisation process. We have gone out on a limb in many ways, in doing what we have done.”

So says Monash University’s new commercialisation director at the School of Biomedical Sciences, Roland Scollay. Scollay recently returned from the US where he spent eight years working in biotech companies including a spell at Genteric.

“We have a team of around 20 people working purely on the commercialisation of research. We have business development managers, a CEO, a COO, legal people, patent attorneys, accountants and admin staff too,” he said.

Scollay said the new team would be dedicated to raising the profile of Monash as a prime commercial centre for research in Australia.

June 10, 2003

Crystallography boostMelbourne’s protein crystallographers have received a boost with the recent acquisition of a $720,000 X-ray Crystallography generator system at the Austin Research Institute (ARI).

And according to ARI Director Prof Mark Hogarth, the facility is not restricted to ARI use. “It’s a part of the Victorian Institute of Biotechnology, the joint venture between the ARI and the Victorian University of Technology,” he said.

June 12, 2003

Macquarie launches ‘virtual’ biotech Macquarie University has linked together several of its existing departments, to build its own ‘virtual’ biotech research institute.

The new institute, formally known as the Macquarie University Biotechnology Research Institute, will be a conglomeration of Macquarie’s current expertise across the genetics field plus input from commercial and industrial sectors too. According to Prof Peter Bergquist, director of the new institute, the aim is to consolidate the university’s biotech approach and streamline research, education and postgraduate training in the biotech area.

July 16, 2003

WA centre gets new SNP detection equipmentIn a major boost for the WA State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre at Murdoch University, researchers have taken delivery of a new Transgenomic WAVE Dena-turing High Performance Liquid Chromatograph (DHPLC).

The new equipment, worth $230,000, will assist in the detection of unknown genetic mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

March 26, 2003

Mark Hogarth

25Australian Biotechnology News Education Minibook 2003 25

Name of Organisation: Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St. Andrews Place, East Melbourne

Peter Mac is Australia’s only comprehensive cancer centre, where clinical and research staff are involved in many areas of cancer research including: breast cancer, cell cycle, radiation oncology, palliative care, cancer biology and biochemistry, cancer immunology, stem cell biology and cancer genomics.

The Research Division at Peter Mac employs more than 270 full-time staff making it the largest cancer research group in Australia. It is organised into four research programs namely Cancer Cell Biology, Stem Cell, Cancer Immunology and Cancer Genomics & Genetics. The fundamental work of the 22 laboratories in the Division are helping to discover the biology of life and are central to our understanding of how processes go awry in cancer cells. They make important contributions to a worldwide understanding of cell biology and underpin our ability to perform sophisticated translational and clinical research. The laboratories and clinical facilities are fully equipped with the latest technologies including: PET/CT imaging, molecular pathology, microarray technology, confocal microscopy and gene targeting in model organisms.

At the Peter Mac, we believe that by providing the best possible facilities for cutting edge research, a commitment to thorough training and resources for scientific education, we can bring out the best in young scientists. We therefore welcome high calibre applications for graduate study towards BSc (Honours), MSc, PhD, Advanced Medical Science (AMS), BMedSci, or MD degreesby clinical or laboratory based research, from students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate courses in Life Science, Medical or Scientific disciplines at Australian or overseas Universities. A full list of projects is available on our website. Note too that we also offer short-term projects, summer scholarships and placements for students enrolled in undergraduate programs locally and overseas.

Telephone number: + 61 3 9656 1930Fax Number: + 61 3 9656 1400Address: Research Division, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Locked Bag #1, A’Beckett Street, Melbourne Vic 8006Web site: http://www.petermac.org/researchEmail: [email protected] of Contact: Liz Parkinson, Education & Careers Coordinator

PETER MACCALLUM

CANCER CENTRE

26

UNIV

ERSI

TY N

EWS


Leading scientist to head hi-tech instituteThe University of Queensland has appointed Professor Peter Gray to head the $50 million Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, which aims to be at the forefront of innovations in nanotechnology and biotechnology.

Gray will move from UNSW, where he built up the R&D capabilities in mammalian cell culture to form a leading group in Australia with an extensive collaborative network of international research groups and corporations.

June 27, 2003

Melbourne scores $10 million Diabetes Vaccine Centre

Melbourne has been chosen as the site for the world’s first Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre, a joint initiative of the National Health and Medical

Research Council (NHMRC) and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) International.

The University of Melbourne-based centre is intended to spear-head a global research program into the discovery of a vaccine for juvenile diabetes.

March 14, 2003

SA joins HPC fraternitySouth Australia’s fledgling biotechnology industry has received the first of two shots in the arm with the commissioning of Hydra, a $1.7 million system that is Australia’s third-largest supercomputer and the largest of its type.

Organised by the recently-created South Australian Partnership for Advanced Computing (SAPAC) – a high-performance computing (HPC) oversight group linking the University of South Australia, University of Adelaide, and Flinders University – the purchase of Hydra significantly boosts computing power available to researchers working in biotechnology, environmental studies, fluid dynamics, molecular modelling, computational physics and myriad other applications.

June 6, 2003

Cochlear scholarship to encourage would-be tertiary studentsBionic ear company Cochlear has set up a scholarship to encourage recipients of its cochlear implants to go on to tertiary education. The Graeme Clark Cochlear Scholarship, named after the technology’s inventor, is open to all prospective university students in the Asia-Pacific region who have Cochlear Nucleus implants, and provides financial assistance towards the cost of a minimum three-year undergraduate degree at an accredited university.

“The first crop of children [who received the Nucleus implants] are just getting to university level,” said Cochlear CFO Neville Mitchell. “It’s really wonderful when you think they’ve gone to mainstream schools and are now going to university.”

December 2002

imbInstitute for Molecular Bioscience

The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience is leading Australia’s drive to fully understand human and animal biology at the molecular level.

Underpinned by Australia’s most advanced program in computational biology and bioinformatics, IMB’s multidisciplinary research programs explore biological problems in mammalian genetics, developmental, cellular and structural biology, as well as biological and medicinal chemistry.

IMB researchers are working to understand how complex organisms are programmed, and how genomic programming varies between individuals and species.

That is, how genetic information is transduced through regulatory circuitry, macromolecular structures and chemistry to form different cells and to organise these into complex organisms like humans; how variations in this information influences our characteristics and susceptibility to disease; and finally how this knowledge can be utilised to address health and environmental problems and to create new products and industries.

IMB’s research excellence is supported by world class facilities located in the new $110 million Queensland Bioscience Precinct, promoting research at the cutting edge of the global bioscience revolution.

IMB is seeking to attract results-oriented graduate students eager to participate in

the most exciting period of biological discovery as an integral part of Australia’s

foremost research Institute. Students with excellent academic records combined

with exceptional interest and ability in research should apply.

Please contact IMB’s Graduate Coordinator Dr Amanda Carozzi ([email protected], 61 7 3346 2122) for more information about the Graduate Program and eligibility.

www.imb.uq.edu.au

28

MEN

TORS


G eneticist Bryce Vissel copped a ribbing from his medical students at the Garvan Medical Research Institute

in Sydney after Australian Biotechnology News published a brief biography of his former PhD supervisor at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Prof Andy Choo.

In that article, Choo offered some advice to young PhDs: don’t worry too much about finding a good project. Just find a good mentor, and a good project will find you.

Choo was Vissel’s mentor, and the advice is engraved on his mind – he has of ten tried to impress Choo’s wisdom on his own students, but hadn’t told them of its provenance.

Vissel, who is now investigating neurogenesis at the Garvan Institute, is living proof of its wisdom. He de-scribes Choo as “an incredible mentor, someone I deeply admire as a person and a scientist.

“I sti l l seek his mentorship, his friendship and his advice whenever I go to Melbourne,” he says.

“It’s incumbent on a student to look around, and find someone they comfortable with, and with whom they can communicate – someone who can help when they’re having a hard time, or when an interesting issue emerges, even if they just want somebody to talk to when things are going well.

“Mentorship is an exciting, dynamic relationship. Many supervisors are very busy people; it’s never their inten-tion to neglect their postgraduate students, but it happens.”

Vissel advises his students to seek a mentor who can invest the time required in this critical period of their research career, by asking former students about their own experiences with particular researchers, and determining whether their projects produced good science.

Producing good science and high-impact papers during one’s PhD is critically important, he says.

A good mentor is the key

Bryce Vissel: It’s incumbent on a student to find a good mentor.

Graeme O’Neill hears that a good mentor can be a great help to a young scientist

29

MENTORS


“If you’re dedicated and determined, you shoot for the best.

“If you get high-impact papers, you get fel lowships and the best post-doctoral positions, and that opens doors to the best academic positions, or the best labs in the world.

“A good PhD sets you up for the future – it puts you on the exponential curve of career develop-ment. You must dedicate yourself, work very hard, and find someone who will be supportive and encouraging.”

Vissel is in no doubt that a career in scientif ic or medical research is worthwhile, and that a PhD remains “an excellent qualification”.

“It opens up so many doors, because

it involves acquiring so many skills – you have to pull them together, have the ability to start a project, set your own deadlines, evaluate it without regular exams, and complete it in three years.

“If you do well, you get to work on exciting problems, that benef it humanity, you travel to wonderful conferences, work in

different countries, form friendships and make valuable contacts.

But Vissel says a scientific career can be very difficult in its early stages: “If you do well, it’s one of the most exciting careers available, but if you’re not married to science, not getting grants, and not enjoying it, it can be extremely difficult.” ■

‘A scientific career can be very difficult in

its early stages’

EXCITING NEW BIOTECHNOLOGY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

The National Stem Cell CentreThe newly established Australian Biotechnology Centre of Excellence — The National Stem Centre (NSCC) — is a world class research facility dedicated to the study and commercialisation of stem cells and related therapies.

The NSCC draws together leading groups of scientists in adult and embryonic stem cells, tissue matrices and immune tolerance in Australia, working together with an International network of leading key researchers. The NSCC offers a series of programs to research and develop potential therapeutic products to treat human debilitating diseases and injuries.

• Opportunities for Graduate and Postgraduate training will be provided at facilities associated with the NSCC. Competitively awarded Honours Studentships and Masters and PhD Postgraduate Scholarships will be available to outstanding, qualified candidates.

For further information regarding the NSCC and its educational opportunities please contact: Professor Graham Jenkin on +61 3 9542 710 or email [email protected], or visit our website at www.nscc.edu.au

30

UNSW


Excellence in teaching and research. The School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences (BABS) has a tradition of excellence in both teaching and research.

Innovative research. Whether undergraduate or postgraduate, our research students are at the cutting edge of their fields. Our range of extensive interna-tional collaborations gives our

students that vital edge in career success.

BABS supports and encourages students to present their research and network themselves at international conferences.

Applied teaching. Our degrees by coursework are up-to-date and provide excellent training. Our teaching has an emphasis on applied information and skills.

Flexible delivery. We cater for busy lifestyles with a range of distance modules. Flexible delivery allows students to combine work with training for ongoing career development.

BiotechnologyBioinformatics

Biopharmaceuticals

UNSW is internationally recognised as one of the top 10 universities in the

Asia-Pacific region

Cutting edge degrees from an internationally renowned school with global authority

31

UNSW


The School of Biotechnology andBiomolecular Sciences

Research excellence. BABS is home to the ‘Bioengineering Centre’, the ‘Centre for Marine Biofouling and Bioinnovation’, the ‘CRC for Environmental Biotechnology’ and ‘The Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Centre for Gene Function Analysis’.

Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology – BSc. (Hons)Bachelor of Engineering in Bioinformatics – BE.Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology – Grad. Dip.Master of Science in Biopharmaceuticals – MSc.Master of Science in Biotechnology – MSc.Master of Science – MSc.Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D.

Career flexibility. Our graduates are employed at all levels in various industries, some pursue research careers, some have established their own companies. A degree in Biotechnology from UNSW provides you with career flexibility.…The choice is yours.

Contact: Cherise AngTel: (02) 9385–2101,Fax: (02) 9385–1483e-mail: [email protected]

32

THE

SCIEN

TIST

S


Henry NixEminent Australian National University biologist, Prof Henry Nix, says that to be a successful researcherrequires “curiosity motivation”– a deep curiosity about the world, and a strong desire to seek explanations.

Nix, one of Australia’s leading ecologists and founder of the Centre for Resourceand Environmen-tal Studies, says such personality traits are usually apparent in childhood.

“If a student doesn’t have it, I very much doubt they will become a good scientist,” says Nix.

“If an educator can stimulate that curiosity motivation in a student who hasn’t previously shown it, it’s a prime achievement.

“It might only happen a few times in an academic career, but it’s fantastic to see

a student become motivated – you can see them transform.”

“You need people who are inher-ently creative and motivated by

curiosity, not by money, to try to uncover the nature of things.

“What we are seeing in higher education today is more and more students who regard a PhD in science as a t icket to a job some-

where. It becomes a mechanical proc-ess. Very bright people do it, and can achieve, but the underlying curiosity motivation is be lacking.”

But Nix doesn’t try to dissuade stu-dents who might not have that creative spark from pursuing careers in research. “You also need a lot of other people in applied science who have the training and techniques needed to work through and test crazy ideas,” he says.

What makes a good scientist?And where will good scientists take science in the future? Graeme O’Neill

put the question to three of Australia’s best-regarded scientists

‘You need people who are inherently creative and

motivated by curiosity, not by money, to try to uncover

the nature of things’

33

THE SCIENTISTS


“I believe a l l f ields of modern science, not just biotechnology, offer great opportunities, particularly when combined with business or entrepreneurial training, offers great opportunities.”

Those opportunities abound at the interfaces between science and other disciplines, says Nix – in science/law, science/business, science/medicine, and science/agriculture.

“The big gap is in systems science, which integrates the physical, biological and social science. Everyone talks about it, but very few people do it because it’s incredibly difficult.

“We have the name right – ‘com-plex adaptive systems’ – but doing it is something else. It requires very high-level mathematics, supercomputing, and very bright minds that can look at the big picture.

“We haven’t done a very good job of training people for this sort of work but there are interconnec-tions between biology, physics, chemistry and just about every other scientific discipline.

“In my field, I see a particularly strong connection developing between paleo-ecology and genetics – understanding how species got to be the way they are, and why they occur where they do.”

Nix predicts that integrating environ-mental and genetic histories, derived from genome projects, will prove enormously valuable, because of its potential to predict what sort of genome will be best suited to a particular environment.

Apart from its potential value in conserving species and environments, Nix says the potential for this type of

integrative science to advance agriculture is enormous.

“We’ve been doing it blindly for centu-ries, through plant and animal breeding, and it’s a very slow, tortuous and costly process. It’s all been trial and error, and for very 1000 trials, we’ve made 999 errors.”

Deborah RathjenDr Deborah Rathjen, CEO of Adelaide-based biotechnology company Bionomics, is a former research scientist who has made the transition from doing research, to commercialising research.

“A career in research is worthwhile from several perspectives,” Rathjen says.

“It’s an environ-ment that’s con-stantly challenging and intellectually rewarding. In what other career do you get to advance human

knowledge, find potential treatments or new approaches to diagnosing diseases?

“It’s very satisfying. Science is a daily challenge; it means you can never be sure what each day will bring. There’s a high level of uncertainty.”

Rathjen is a co-inventor of one of the most valuable patents to emerge from Australian research – the pat-ent on the TNF-alpha receptor, the target for therapeutic antibodies designed to prevent autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and inf lamma-tory conditions such as inf lammatory bowel disease.


Deborah Rathjen

‘There are interconnections between biology, physics,

chemistry and just about every other scientific discipline’

Join the post-genome era

The Faculty of Biological & ChemicalSciences at the University of Queenslandoffers a wide range of biotechnologyprograms to meet the increasing world-widedemand for trained biotechnologyspecialists.

The University of Queensland (UQ)consistently rates in the top three nationallyfor all industry and competitive researchfunding and has the best record in Australiafor patenting the products of biotechnologyresearch.

With existing research strengths in allareas of biotechnology, UQ has developed abiotechnology teaching program that meetsthe needs of students drawn from diverseacademic backgrounds.

OUR FACILITIESare state-of-the-artUQ biotechnology students have access toexcellent facilities including computer- basedlearning laboratories, world-class electronmicroscopy facilities and the largest library inQueensland. The $105 million Institute forMolecular Bioscience, the $50 million AustralianInstitute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnologyand a vibrant local industry cluster, includinguniversity spin-offs, will create hundreds of jobopportunities for UQ biotechnology graduatesover the next decade.

OUR GRADUATE STUDENTSwork with world class researchersGraduate students have the opportunity towork in the areas of molecular biology, drug

Biotechnology

design and development, bioinformatics, plantbiotechnology, transgenic animals,bioprocessing and tissue engineering.

OUR PROGRAMis modern and innovativeThe biotechnology program at UQ offers anexcellent curriculum which integrates scienceand commercialisation giving graduates acomprehensive understanding of biotechnologyand related commercial issues. Postgraduateopportunities in biotechnology at UQ are offeredin both research-based programs such as a PhDand in Masters/Coursework programs.

Doctor of Biotechnology6 semesters full time (or part-time equivalent)

Master of Biotechnology3 semesters full time (or part-time equivalent)

Master of Technology Management(Biotechnology)

3 semesters full time (or part-time equivalent)

Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology2 semesters full-time (or part-time equivalent)

Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology1 semester full-time (or part-time equivalent)

All programs are designed to equip the modernbiotechnologist with the skills to build a careerin this emerging industry of the 21st century.

Telephone: +61-7-33656194Visit: http://biotech.facbacs.uq.edu.auEmail: [email protected]

CR

ICO

S P

rovi

der

Num

ber

0002

5B

36

THE

SCIEN

TIST

S


“I made the transition gradually through on-the-job training. I went from doing an academic postdoctoral research into a biotech company, where I started to become involved in patents, looking at the market.

“I was working with a company that was inter-ested in making money, surrounded by people whose interests were in looking at how to make money, and I really enjoyed the combina-tion of science, business and intellectual property protection.”

Like Nix, Rathjen believes a sense of curiosity and truth-seeking behaviour is largely innate, but needs to be moulded to make a good researcher.

And that moulding, and learning, continues long after a student has com-pleted a PhD – Rathjen says it continues for life. “Every person should look at their career as a constant process of picking up new knowledge and skills, and that’s particularly true in the modern era.”

Rathjen says modern science is evol-ving so rapidly that new fields of research are emerging faster than uni-versities can train new researchers to work in them.

In this dynamic environment, the undergraduate degree and PhD remains the foundations a scientist’s education, to be built upon by new learning and skill acquisition on the job. But Rathjen says young researchers should still pursue their own interests.

While financial security and domes-tic stability can problematic in the early stages of a research career, when salaries

are low, and the pursuit of opportunities involves a nomadic life, Rathjen believes that a career in research can be an advan-tage to women.

She has combined her research and business careers with raising three

children, and has found that the sometimes weird working hours involved in research provide a degree of domestic f lexibility not offered by many other careers.

“My views may be coloured by the fact that I did my PhD under Dr Ann Under-wood of CSIRO, who was married with two children, and then did my first post-doctoral project with Dr Carolyn Geczy, who was also a strong, positive in-fluence,” she says.

“Things have changed in recent years, and more and more women are pursuing high-level careers in science. It’s easier today to find role models, and I’ve always viewed science as a particu-larly attractive career for women – it has allowed me to change focus, and shift my priorities, as my family circum-stances changed.”

John McKenzieProf John McKen-zie, Dean of Sci-ence at Melbourne University, believes a career in science requires a passion, an enthusiasm for a particular discipline – or, increasingly, a mind that can span disciplines.


John McKenzie


‘Every person should lookat their career as a constant

process of picking up new knowledge and skills’

The CILR has been established as an ARC Centreof Excellence under the Federal Government's'Backing Australia's Ability' scientific initiatives.

The CILR is a multi-nodal centre of leadingAustralian plant researchers that will drive furtherdevelopment of the genomics and phenomics oflegumes. It has the critical mass of human,intellectual and infrastructure resources to functionas a world-class research centre. It focuses onresearch that will provide critical insights intomechanisms of organ differentiation andintercellular communication, utilising comparativegenomics on the model legumes Lotus japonicusand Medicago truncatula, with technology transferto the crop legumes (pea and soybean).

CR

ICO

S P

rovi

der

Num

ber

0002

5B

ARC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FORINTEGRATIVE LEGUME RESEARCH (CILR)

Postgraduateresearchopportunitiesin legumegenomics

Exciting opportunities for postgraduateresearch studies are available at each of theCILR nodes, at The University of Queensland,The Australian National University, TheUniversity of Melbourne and The University ofNewcastle.

ContactProfessor Peter Gresshoff, DirectorARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative

Legume ResearchThe University of QueenslandBrisbane Qld 4072Telephone: (07) 3365 3550Email: [email protected]

38

THE

SCIEN

TIST

S


“I’m a traditionalist – multidisci-plinary research teams are absolutely necessary to research today, but, as in cricket, the best team is not a team of all-rounders, but one with specialist batsmen, bowlers and a few all-rounders, who collectively form a powerful unit.”

Is it worthwhile doing a higher degree?

McKenzie says that for many students, the answer is a clear ‘yes’, even if they do not intend to become professional scientists. “Peter Ellyard (former Commissioner for the Future) has said that the sort of careers people will be pursuing in 20 years’ time haven’t even been invented yet,” he says.

“We wil l l ive in a knowledge-based future, one in which acquiring the skills and in-depth understanding that a higher degree produces will not be just a disci-pline, but a process.”

Combing science with another discipline at undergraduate level can add “huge value” to a career, says McKenzie – the traditional MBA has been losing some of its gloss, and many business students who have later switched to science have turned in wonderful PhD projects.

“The difficulty, and the answer to the question, ‘Why do science?’, is that it’s possible to pick up the auxiliary skills required for business from a science base, but next to impossible to do it the other way round.

“At Melbourne University, 50 per cent

of students doing science are doing it as a combined degree – and the majority are doing a combined science-law degree.”

The aim, says McKenzie, is to be well-educated as lawyers – usually as patent attorneys – but superbly edu-cated as scientists. A number of students who have done science law, science/economics and science/commerce undergraduate degrees have gone on to do science honours and PhDs.

McKenzie worries about the prolifera-tion of specialised under-graduate science degrees in universities around Australia, such as foren-sic science, bioinformatics and biotechnology.

For example, he says, 19 universities now offer a degree in forensic sci-ence, when the annual demand for employment in this field in a state like Victoria might be only half a dozen students.

He believes it is important that students maintain as broad a base as they can, for as

long as possible, en route to acquiring the skills required for their preferred discipline.

“Specialising through a higher degree is important, but the real strength of a higher degree is that it puts you on a path to lifelong learning.

“No doctor, dentist or lawyer com-pletes their degree without knowing they will need to do further training. Everybody expects to have to upgrade their skills during life, so why wouldn’t scientists enjoy the challenge?” ■


‘Everybody expects to have to upgrade their skills during

life, so why wouldn’t scientists enjoy the challenge?’

Queensland University of TechnologyGPO Box 2434 Brisbane QLD 4001 Website: qut.com

BEE-03-134

CRICOS no. 00213J

Some of Queensland s leading biotechnology

researchers are working in QUTs School of Life

Sciences, its Science Research Centre, and the

University s newest and largest research centre, the

Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation.

Researchers have access to state-of-the-art facilities and

enjoy extensive collaborations with medical, health and

industry workers, and interactions with key research

institutions and universities, both locally and overseas.

Our programs help students gain the most up-to-date

knowledge and skills to apply to the real-world.

realBiotechnology Innovation

QUT biotechnology graduateSharon Gould works for PANBIO Ltd

as a Quality Control Supervisor.

Research ProgramsQUT has an international reputation for excellence across a number of research programs, and delivers real

solutions to problems for industry and the community. Our major research programs focus on:

■ Cancer ■ Diagnostic technologies ■ Infectious diseases ■ Plant biotechnology ■ Tissue engineering.

Courses We offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate course focusing on:

■ Medical Sciences ■ Biotechnology ■ Microbiology ■ Bioinformatics ■ Biochemistry.

More Information To find out more about our programs or research facilities

please phone (07) 3864 2152, email [email protected] or visit

www.sci.qut.edu.au

She chose to study at QUT “because of theemphasis on the practical application ofscience”. She said, "The biggest challenge inmy work to date has been leading a team ofscientists to develop a diagnostic test in lessthan six months for the US market. Thisinvolved sourcing key biological material forthe test, negotiating a licensing agreementand interaction with different departmentswithin the company, including manufacturing,regulatory affairs, marketing and keyemployees at our US facility”.

40

BIOT

ECH

BY D

EGRE

ES


Biotech by degrees

U ndergraduate level biotechnol-ogy degree programs are becoming increasingly popular in Australia,

offering students the opportunity to combine the essential basic science require-ments with exposure to business and other aspects of the industry.

While some programs, such as the University of Sydney’s BSc program in molecular biotechnology, are relatively new, there are several undergraduate programs that have been running for 10 years or more.

One of the first pro-grams in Australia, the Bachelor of Biotechnology (BBiotech) degree program at the Univer-sity of Queensland, began life as a Bachelor of Applied Science with a biotechnology major in 1986.

Almost as old is Flinders University’s BBiotech, which started in 1990, graduat-ing its first cohort of students in 1994.

The crucial ingredient in a successful BSc (Biotech) or BBiotech program is the inclusion of professional units cover-ing topics like intellectual property and patents, regulatory affairs, commer-cialisation, management and entre-preneurship, and specialised biotech-nology subjects like bioinformatics, process technology, drug development and so on.

A feature of several programs is a requirement to write a business devel-opment plan, or product development proposal, usually in the third or fourth

year. Some programs also include units on ethics and the social implications of biotechnology.

“We really do try to blend science with an appreciation of the major issues of biotechnology, that is, putting a product on the shelf,” says Prof Tony Weiss, who runs the BSc (Molecular Biotechnology) program at the University of Sydney, which has its first cohort of students entering

their third year of study. The science com-

ponents of biotech degree programs tend to be broad, often covering the gamut of molecular sciences, including genetics, bio-

chemistry, microbiology, chemistry, and molecular biology.

“Business savvy, f lexibi lity and awareness of the issues is important to future employers in industry, but there is also a heavy need for technical skills,” says Prof Ross Barnard, who heads up the University of Queensland program.

Another aspect of biotechnology programs that differentiate them from general science degrees is the inter-action with industry, with lecturers drawn from the biotechnology industry and commercial world, as well as the opportunity to work directly or indi-rectly with industry on honours and other research projects.

“I see it as being fundamentally impor-tant [to include industry components],” says Weiss.

Melissa Trudinger took a closer look at the biotech-specific degreecourses around Australia

‘Business savvy, flexibility and awareness of the issues

is important to future employers in industry’



T O R R E N S VA L L E Y TA F E

www.tafe.sa.edu.au

> Laboratory Skills> Laboratory Operations

> Biotechnology Short Courses> Animal Technologyare all a reality at…

NEW LABORATORIES… NEW APPROACH… NEW TECHNOLOGY

For more information on any scienceindustry course please contact:

Veterinary & Applied Science Centre, Torrens Valley TAFE, Gilles Plains Campus,

Blacks Road, Gilles Plains SA 5086Email: [email protected]

(08) 8207 1240www.tvtafe.com.au/vasc

GILLES PLAINS CAMPUS

TORRENS VALLEY TAFE

42

BIOT

ECH

BY D

EGRE

ES


“There is an opportunity to have direct industry experience through industry placements, and students get to impress potential employers.”

The involvement of industry in bio-technology education is seen as a crucial part of biotechnology programs. A recent survey, the Review of Biotechnology Teaching, Learning and Outcomes in Australia, commissioned by the Depart-ment of Education Science and Training and the Australian Universities Teaching Committee (AUTC), has culminated in a report available at www.autc.gov.au.

The aim of the review was to look at the biotech programs being offered by Australian universities and evaluate the agreement between the courses offered and the needs of the industry.

Initially, the authors of the review, including the University of NSW’s Prof Peter Gray, University of Queensland’s Barnard and Chris Franco from Flinders University, sought to establish the number of universities with specialised biotech-nology degrees.

At least 18 universities in Australia offered biotechnology degrees, with at least six offering related programs, and the number of graduates rose from 576 in 2001 to an expected 800 graduates this year.

While there has been some rebadging of general life science degrees as biotech-nology, on the whole there has been a trend to develop specialised biotechnology courses, says Gray, with specific focus on knowledge required to successfully enter the industry.

According to Barnard, it is unclear

how many biotechnology graduates end up working in the sector but the survey sug-gests that it is a large proportion. Flinders lecturer Anderson said that around 40 per cent of their graduates end up working within the industry, and another 50 per cent go on to enrol in higher degrees.

“We have a few students who have gone on to play roles in South Australian biotechnology companies,” he says.

The involvement of the industry in developing biotechnology programs is important, with responses to the survey suggesting that the universities would like to see even more interaction at

levels ranging from advisory roles to financial support.

“Our industry partners have told us what we are doing is relevant,” says

Sydney’s Weiss. And it is becoming increasingly clear to the universities that the courses are attracting students.

“Our numbers have grown strong-ly,” says Barnard of the University of Queensland program. He noted that more than 200 students were enrolled in the undergraduate program as of November last year, and the honours program has tripled in size in the last three years.

“It’s been the most successful sci-ence niche degree at the University,” says Anderson of Flinders’ BBiotech, adding that the university had been very supportive of the program. The students seem to appreciate the opportunities that the courses bring to them too, according to Gray.

“Students are pleasantly surprised at the employment prospects, and the expan-sion of the industry brings new employ-ment opportunities,” he says. ■


‘There is an opportunity to have direct industry

experience ’

43

THE JOHN CURTIN SCHOOL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH


The John Curtin School of Medical Research offers the chance to work with world-class researchers on cutting-edge medical & scientific projects in an exciting environment of discovery. The School was established at the inspira-tion of Nobel Laureate and penicillin developer, Howard Florey. Our exceptional research record continues with Nobel prizes in Neuroscience (Eccles, 1963) and Immunology (Doherty & Zinkernagel, 1996 –Zinkernagel was a PhD student).Projects available: Genomics, Molecular Genetics, Neuroscience, Integrative Physiology, Immunology, Cell Biology, Virology, Gene Regulation & Signalling, Computational Biology, Clinical science (with The Canberra Hospital).Scholarship Package: For an Australian/NZ student the total package is a maximum of $103,000 (tax-free) over 3.5 years, and includes $3000 travel allowance and a new computer. All students receive $35,000 in lab support, office space, IT training, travel & removal allowances on commencement and access to all the facilities of the Australian National University.Honours/PhD package: Combined Hons/PhD program attracts a $6000 scholarship plus $4000 relocation expenses for the Honours year.Canberra: Australia’s national capital provides a convenient lifestyle and affordability, parks and wildlife, national institutions, cultural offerings and proximity to the beach, ski resorts and Sydney. A high student population in combination with clubs and restaurants provide an active night life.

Information: Email [email protected]. Web http://jcsmr.edu.auApplications: http://www.anu.edu.au/enrolments/forms/sass25s.pdfSend to University Admissions, Chancelry Annex, The Australian National University, CANBERRA, ACT 0200.Closing Dates for Scholarships:Australian Postgraduate Awards: 31 OctoberANU PhD Scholarships: at any time

Australia’s National UniversityJohn Curtin School of Medical ResearchPOSTGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS

44

RECR

UITM

ENT


Finding the right dream job

168Sydney: (02) 9687 6080Steve Nolan, [email protected]: recruitment for medical, scientific, laboratory, production equipment and deviceswww.168r.com.au

AbInitio Executive SearchSydney: (02) 9279 0505Arthur Cooley, managing directorSpeciality: executive, board and management searcheswww.abinitio.com.au

Amanda Whitehead & AssociatesSydney: (02) 9844 5457Speciality: recruitment, career counselling, sales team performance enhancement for the pharmaceutical, medical and healthcare industrieswww.amandawhitehead.com.au

Anagram InternationalBrisbane: (07) 3220 0811Sydney: (02) 9233 1484Graham Young, managing directorSpeciality: recruitment across technology, finance, administration and HR www.anagram.com.au

Beilby EmploymentPerth: (08) 9323 8888Sean Jones

Bladen Taylor & AssociatesSydney (02) 9911 7775Melbourne: (03) 9863 8666Speciality: recruitment and placement of qualified sales and marketing professionalswww.bladentaylor.com.au

Bond RecruitmentBrisbane: (07) 3220 1020Jason BeattySpeciality: includes recruitment in healthcare, IT, sales and marketingwww.bondrecruitment.com.au

BMG AssociatesMelbourne: (03) 9380 6111Speciality: arranges work in UK and Ireland for healthcare professionalswww.bmgassociates.com.au

Brooker ConsultingMelbourne: (03) 9602 1666Jeremy Wurm, managing directorSpeciality: recruits senior management for the international healthcare, pharmaceutical and bioscience industrieswww.rustonpoole.com

CcentricSydney: (02) 9232 8148Wayne Bruce, managing directorSpeciality: executive search in healthcare and related industriestrakgroup.com.au

ChemskillMelbourne: (03) 9629 7800Sydney: (02) 9957 4000Canberra: (02) 6263 5905Speciality: recruitment, training and consulting to the scientific, medical and technical industrieswww.chemskill.com.au

Where do you go when you’re looking for your dream job in science? We’ve put together the following list of recruitment professionals


45

RECRUITMENT


THE VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Victor ChangCardiac Research Institute

384 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute was established in 1994 to honour the vision and memory of the late Dr. Victor Chang. The Institute is an independent research facility affiliated with St. Vincent’s Hospital and the University of New South Wales, and currently shares a building with the Garvan Institute. It houses research programmess driven by the idea that progress in medicine requires investigation of the basic biology that underlies normal and diseased states. Since its establishment the Institute has expanded rapidly with the recruitment of a diverse and internationally recognised faculty who have already made world-class research discoveries.

The diverse research programs and very active intellectual climate of the Victor Chang provide opportunities for students to work on exciting projects at the forefront of molecular biology and genetics.

Current research programmes: Cardiovascular Mechanics; Computational Biology & BioInformatics; Developmental Biology; Electrophysiology & Biophysics; Molecular Cardiology; Molecular Genetics; Transplant; and Vascular /Ventricular Interactions.

PhD Programme at The VCCRIProgramme at The VCCRIStudents participating in the PhD programme at the VCCRI must enrol at an accredited university. The VCCRI generally follows the guidelines of the faculty to which the student is attached, and all students have a co-supervisor at their university. PhD Students are funded through a variety of sources: fellowships from the National Health and Medical Research Council, the university, or the National Heart Foundation, or direct funding from the VCCRI. All students undergo an annual review by an independent committee, which provides an opportunity for anticipation and remediation of any problems that may arise. Together with the very active scientific environment, this promotes high scientific quality, and PhD projects may be expected to result in publications in internationally recognised journals.

For information on PhD opportunities at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute contact:Dr. Sally Dunwoodie, Head, PhD Student ProgrammeTel.: (02) 9295-8510/Email: [email protected]

46

RECR

UITM

ENT


Daryl Alexander GroupMelbourne: (03) 9576 1060Sydney: (02) 9413 2444Brisbane: (07) 3218 2154Dr Amanda Reid, managing directorSpecialty: healthcare industry specialised recruitmentwww.darylalexander.com.au

Davidson RecruitmentBrisbane: (07) 3221 0044Suzy Baxter, science and technology consultantSpeciality: career mentoring and recruitment for science and technology professionals www.d-r.com.au

EntecSydney: (02) 8913 7777Brisbane: (07) 3003 7755Adelaide: (08) 8172 7777Melbourne: (03) 8663 7777Perth: (08) 6380 7777Speciality: supplying contractors with engineering, technical and computing skillswww.entec.com.au

GNP AustraliaSydney: (02) 9947 9751www.gnpau.com

Green & Green GroupCanberra: (02) 6257 5600Speciality: Scientific appointmentswww.greengroup.com.au

GreythornSydney: (02) 9249 8000Melbourne: (03) 9670 8600Canberra: (02) 6257 5900Speciality: IT recruitmentwww.greythorn.com

Heidrick & StrugglesSydney: (02) 8205 2000 Filomena Leonardi

Speciality: international executive searchwww.heidrick.com

Human Capital PartnersSydney: (02) 9375 2289Greg McKenzie, managing directorSpeciality: executive search and recruitment in life sciences, IT and other industrieswww.humancapitalpartners.com.au

InterlogicSydney: (02) 9922 2711Speciality: recruitment and consultancy services to engineering and IT companieswww.interlogic.com.au

Kelly Scientific ResourcesSydney: (02) 9299 8566Melbourne: (03) 9804 0755Brisbane: (07) 3234 3333Adelaide: (08) 8236 9800Perth: (08) 9321 6022Canberra: (02) 6281 5500Speciality: recruitment and HR in several industries, including scientific and healthcarewww.kellyservices.com.au

Life Sciences AppointmentsSydney: (02) 9223 5400Melbourne: (03) 9909 7600Kay Watts, Andrew PrestonSpeciality: life science industry recruitmentwww.lifescience.com.au

Nizza RecruitmentBrisbane: (07) 3004 8400Trevor Neville, recruitment consultantSpeciality: recruitment to biotech, pharmaceutical, scientific, IT, engineering and other industrieswww.nizza.com.au

On Q RecruitmentSydney: (02) 9779 1572



47

RECRUITMENT


THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

47

Master of Applied Science (Molecular Biotechnology)

Graduate Diploma in Applied Science (Molecular Biotechnology)

Graduate Certificate in Applied Science (Molecular Biotechnology)

Degree type: CourseworkAll three degrees involve lectures and workshops. The Masters degree also involves an industry placement scheme where students undertake a project in the biotechnology industry or undertake an industry-affiliated project on campus. Duration: 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent.Admission requirements: Applicants should hold either a Bachelor’s degree in Science (or equivalent) or previous experience in a relevant area that is considered to demonstrate the knowledge and aptitude required to undertake these courses.Award program: YesDelivery mode: Internal and web-basedLocations: Sydney main campusContact details: www.biotech.usyd.edu.auE-mail: [email protected]: Science

These degrees are articulated programs intended for industry employees and those experienced in related fields to obtain relevant knowledge in molecular biotechnology. They include teaching in current and innovative areas and provide specialisations with attractive prospects for retraining and employment and for further education. These programs cover new and leading-edge high technologies that provide education in relevant aspects of biology, biochemistry, chemistry, food science and technology, agricultural science, bioinformatics and information bioscience. They aim to provide a basic knowledge and skills base emphasising scientific applications.

The courses also extend to a professional graduate education for scientists and technologists already working in these areas. Students will be exposed to a solid grounding in molecular biotechnology including an appreciation of social and

ethical implications. This professional

development award course is particularly designed for those seeking training in

this expanding high technology area.

Biotechnology at the University of Sydney

48

RECR

UITM

ENT


Perkins ResourcesBrisbane: (07) 3229 5922Speciality: Executive and exclusive placement in the science industry

Persona Grata Consulting Sydney: (02) 9966 8155Di Vertigan, directorSpeciality: sales, marketing and medical professionals in the healthcare industrywww.personagrata.com.au

Russell Reynolds & AssociatesMelbourne: (03) 9603 1300Sydney: (02) 9364 3100Lynn Anderson, consultantSpeciality: global executive recruitmentwww.russellreynolds.com

SACS Executive SolutionsMelbourne: (03) 9963 4900Jim McGeoch, recruitment consultantSpeciality: medical healthcarewww.sacsconsulting.com.au

The Salzer GroupSydney: (02) 9233 8066Speciality: Australian and Asia-Pacific executive search and HR consultancywww.thesalzergroup.com

Science PeopleSydney: (02) 9634 7111Melbourne: (03) 9810 4522Diana Heery, directorSpeciality: scientific and medical recruitmentwww.sciencepeople.com.au

Sci-Med ResourcesSydney: (02) 9869 4844Melbourne: (03) 9642 4092Allan Morgan, recruiting consultantSpeciality: recruitment of laboratory and field scientists and technicians, technical sales and marketingwww.staff-exec.com.au/scimed.htm

Spencer StuartSydney: (02) 9247 4031Melbourne: (03) 9654 2155Speciality: international senior level executive searchwww.spencerstuart.com

SpherionSydney: (02) 8267 4667Melbourne: (03) 9629 8125Canberra: (02) 6268 9999Brisbane: (07) 3831 5077Adelaide: (08) 8224 4555Perth: (08) 9215 7200Speciality: education, recruiting, outsourcing and technologywww.spherion.com.au

Tanner MenziesMelbourne: (03) 9825 4100Sydney: (02) 8298 3800Brisbane: (07) 3031 3200Adelaide: (08) 8274 3720Perth: (08) 9480 2200Speciality: HR and recruitment across several industries, including healthcare and technologywww.tannermenzies.com

TechExecSydney: (02) 9432 3333Melbourne: (03) 9642 4199Brisbane: (07) 3839 1912Speciality: executive recruitment www.hahncorp.com.au/techexec

TechStaff Sydney: (02) 9432 3333Melbourne: (03) 9642 4199Brisbane: (07) 3839 1912Speciality: recruitment of scientific, engineering and technical staffwww.techstaff.com.au

TMP/Hudson Global ResourcesMelbourne: (03) 9623 6666Sydney: (02) 8233 2400Speciality: healthcare recruitment, including diagnostics and biotechnologywww.tmp.com

Continued frompage 46

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY


The Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS:IBID)

IBID is a newly created UTS institute whose mission is to deliver the highest quality scientifi c research product on the biology of infectious disease, improving diagnosis and control of important parasitic diseases in humans, fi sh and livestock. Its goal is to achieve international recognition as an institute that provides practical solutions to some of the most complex and diffi cult infectious disease problems in the world today.

IBID has already established a solid reputation for delivery as a partner in research with other universities, research institutes, government bodies and industry. IBID scientists together, with industry partners, have already:• Developed a patented vaccine for the most economically important disease of chickens, Coccidiosis CoxAbic®, which is currently being marketed in several countries;• Developed vaccines against two important parasitic diseases of cattle (Neosporosis, a major cause of fetal abortion, and Fasciolosis, liver fl uke disease), currently undergoing clinical trials in Europe; • Developed molecular tools to identify mosquito vectors of malaria in the south-west Pacifi c; • Developed commercial antibodies to rapidly analyse zoonotic parasites in water supplies.

IBID scientists have also made great progress in unraveling the secrets of parasites. Ie;• the factors that govern their virulence • pathways for differentiation and stage conversion • mechanisms of drug resistance • molecules that mediate cell recognition, attachment and invasion.

The institute has recently been fully renovated and our state of the art laboratories are perfect for training our students in cutting-edge technologies such as genomics, proteomics, and gene expression. Commercialisation and patenting are also strongly encouraged for IBID students and their supervisors. IBID students do Honours, Masters and PhD degrees in Science. We are committed to providing our students with fi rst-class teaching and supervision in a friendly yet highly productive environment. IBID also provides scholarships for a limited number of PhD students.

For further information about IBID please contact:Professor Michael Wallach,Director, Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases,University of Technology, Sydney,Westbourne Street, Gore Hill, NSW 2065Telelphone: (02) 9514 4200Fax: (02) 9514 4201E mail: [email protected]: http://www.ibid.uts.edu.au

Documents

abnmini-0803-001 · skills required for modern biotechnology, and incorporate input from industry experts. Research programs with the Biotechnology staff in the School of Medicine