New research training centre a boost for drug discovery and development

4 February 2022

New research training centre a boost for drug discovery and development

A new Australian Research Council (ARC) research training centre will conduct world-leading research in drug discovery and development, to continue to train up a new generation of industry-ready researchers. 

ARC Acting Chief Executive Officer Ms Judi Zielke welcomes the official launch of the ARC Training Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins for Drug Discovery (CCeMMP) at Monash University.

The Training Centre is receiving $4.8 million in funding over five years through the ARC’s Industrial Transformation Research Program.

Cryo-electron Microscopy – or Cryo-EM – is a specialised technique that allows images of proteins to be captured in their native state and to be visualised in 3D. Cryo-EM has revolutionised the ability to determine the 3D structure of proteins in cell membranes, opening up new potential for innovations in drug discovery and development.

‘The new ARC Training Centre, led by Professor Patrick Sexton, will train industry-ready, world class graduates in Cryo-EM of membrane proteins vital for drug development,’ said Ms Zielke.

‘Graduates and research from CCeMMP will enable tomorrow’s industrial expansion in drug design, ensuring Australia catches this new wave of discovery in Cryo-EM being commercialised around the world—boosting the generation of new IP and expanding the economic investment into Australian biotech.’

Researchers at Monash University will work with other universities, research organisations and key industry partners: The University of Melbourne; University of Wollongong; The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, and collaborate with industry partners FB Rice Pty Ltd; Biocurate Pty Ltd; Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA; Catalyst Therapeutics Pty Ltd; Astrazeneca Pty Ltd; Dimerix Bioscience Pty Ltd; Servier IDRS France; Genentech Inc; Astex Pharmaceuticals; Novo Nordisk A/S; Sanofi Aventis; Pfizer Inc, Us; Clarivate Analytics UK Limited; and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH Co. KG.

‘Forging linkages between industry and university researchers is a key part of the Government’s focus on increasing national and economy benefit from our world-class research,’ said Ms Zielke.

‘The ARC’s Industrial Transformation Training Centres scheme has embodied this approach, fostering support of collaborative research activity between the higher education sector and industry, for innovative end-user-focused research industries that are vital to Australia’s future.’

More information on the Industrial Transformation Training Centres scheme is available on the ARC website, and further information about this Training Centre is available on the ARC Training Centre for Cryo-Electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins for Drug Discovery website.

 

ENDS

Media contact: 
ARC Stakeholder Relations
0412 623 056 or ARCcommunications@arc.gov.au