Bioplatforms Australia has launched an access program to provide meritorious researchers with a $10,000 subsidy for any ‘omics service offered by our technology partners. The Access Voucher Program aims to promote talented scientists and support their ground breaking work while also showcasing the scientific facilities and expertise offered by our ‘omics network.

In 2009, nine NHMRC Career Development Awardees were granted $10,000 for ‘omic investigations relevant to their specific projects. The projects are broad ranging and demonstrate strong potential for exciting innovation and cross collaboration. The successful awardees are:

Awardee: Dr Vanessa Solomon
Institute: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre   
Collaborator: AGRF   
Project Summary: Mechanisms of leukemic transformation by the signaling kinase JAK2

Awardee: Dr Christine Hawkins
Institute: Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe University   
Collaborator: MATF, Monash University   
Project Summary: The role(s) of caspase-2 in the formation of cancer.

Awardee: Dr Carl Walkley
Institute: St Vincent's Institute   
Collaborator: Genomics Australia and the Australian Bioinformatics Facility   
Project Summary: Investigate genetic changes related to the bone cancer, osteosarcoma.

Awardee: Associate Professor Meri Tulic
Institute: School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia   
Collaborator: Ramaciotti Centre, UNSW   
Project Summary: Investigate the innate immune function of normal and allergic children.

Awardee: Dr Michael Piper
Institute: Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland   
Collaborator: AGRF   
Project Summary: Investigate the genetic mechanisms by which embryonic neural stem cells differentiate into neurons.

Awardee: Dr David Burgner
Institute: School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia   
Collaborator: AGRF, Epigenetics (ANU)   
Project Summary: Investigate the differential susceptibility to neonatal and childhood infection and inflammation.

Awardee: Dr Dana Hutchinson
Institute: Department of Pharmacology, Monash University   
Collaborator: AGRF   
Project Summary: Investigate the role of G protein-coupled receptors in relation to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and central nervous system disorders.

Awardee: Dr Clare Parish
Institute: Howard Florey Institute   
Collaborator: AGRF   
Project Summary: Wnt signaling in dopaminergic neuronal connectivity