Bioplatforms Australia is responsible for building scientific infrastructure in the specialist fields of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics. It supports Australian life science research with crucial investments in state-of-the-art technologies and cutting edge expertise.  Investment funding has been provided by the Commonwealth Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and the 2009 Super Science initiative.  Co-investments have also been made by State Governments, research institutes and commercial entities.

Bioplatforms Australia represents an Australia-wide network of universities, research institutions and biotech companies that boast the nation’s best capabilities in biomolecular research.  Our vision is to promote innovation and systems biology through broad access to world class infrastructure hosted by our network partners together with greater integration in ‘omics research.  Industries particularly supported by our platform technologies include:

• Plant Research
• Agriculture
• Food & Wine
• Biomedical
• Pharmaceuticals
• Diagnostics

Bioplatforms Australia acts as a co-ordinating body for four ‘omics consortiums that offer world class expertise and host state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure:

Genomics Australia – specialise in high throughput gene sequencing, transcript analysis, epigenetics, bioinformatics
Proteomics Australia – specialist services for protein separation, mass spectrometry, monoclonal antibody development, protein chemistry
Metabolomics Australia – specialise in small molecule analysis, sample preparation, metabolite profiling, mass spectrometry
Australian Bioinformatics Facility – offers cutting edge computational tools and strategies for experiment planning, data acquisition, data analysis, data reporting

Advocacy

Bioplatforms Australia broadly canvases issues that impact bioscience research in Australia.  Our consultations provide important information and policy advice to all levels of government and we work hard to identify and deliver opportunities in support of scientific innovation and commercialisation.

History

Bioplatforms Australia was established by the Australian Government in 2007 to help achieve a more co-ordinated and strategic approach to supporting research infrastructure in Australia.  We operate as a non-profit company with a specific mission to build a national research infrastructure network and promote increased collaboration and integration between scientists especially where this supports a systems biology approach.  Around $158 million of total funding was allocated through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) together with cash and in-kind contributions from State Governments and our research and commercial partners. In 2009, a further $50 million was allocated under the Commonwealth Government’s Education Investment Fund Super Science initiative.

Our objectives:

• build a national research infrastructure network
• enhance affordable access to state-of-the-art research technology
• increase collaboration between scientists
• enable Australian scientists to remain competitive on an international level
• provide advice and advocacy on all public policy matters relevant to life science research

Bioplatfroms Australia PDF Handout