New Centre To Fight Infectious Diseases - China-Australia Centre For Phenomics Research

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Bird Flu / Avian Flu;  Biology / Biochemistry;  Immune System / Vaccines
Article Date: 24 Nov 2008 - 2:00 PST

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The fight against infectious diseases such as Avian influenza will receive a boost today with the official opening of the China-Australia Centre for Phenomics Research at The Australian National University.

The centre will be opened by ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb and Professor Lu Yongxiang, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The centre, funded by the Chinese and Australian Governments, will be located in the John Curtin School for Medical Research at the ANU. The opening will be marked by a plaque unveiling and speeches from Professor Chubb, Professor Lu, His Excellency Ambassador Zhang Junsai, Chinese Ambassador to Australia and Professor Frances Shannon, Director of the ANU John Curtin School of Medical Research.

"The centre will study alterations in the genome code that lead to increased resistance or susceptibility to a range of infectious diseases including Avian Influenza," said Dr Edward Bertram, the University's Program Manager for the China-Australia Centre for Phenomics Research. "It's hoped that this work will help us to identify targets for designing new treatments to boost the immune system against these diseases."

The centre brings together some of Australia and China's high performing immunologists and virologists to work towards new discoveries in this field of research. The Australian program will be lead by ANU researchers Dr Edward Bertram, Professor Chris Goodnow and Dr Steve Winslade, but will also involve some of Australia's top immunologists including Nobel Prize winner Professor Peter Doherty, Dr Stephen Turner from the University of Melbourne, Professor Doug Hilton from The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Professor Paul Hertzog from Monash Institute of Medical Research.

The Chinese team will be led by Professor Hong Tang, Director of the Centre for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing.

WHAT:Opening of the China-Australia Centre for Phenomics Research

WHEN: Monday 24 November, 2pm - 3pm

WHERE: Finkel Theatre, John Curtin School of Medical Research, Garran Road

Source
Martyn Pearce
Media Officer
Communications and External Liaison Office
Office of the Vice-Chancellor
The Australian National University
http://www.anu.edu.au