A message from the Director
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It was wonderful to see QIMR scientists listed as achievers in a recent weekend newspaper magazine profiling the Smart State's 50 best and brightest - a resounding testament to the quality of research being conducted at the Institute. Professor Nick Martin heads the Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory and was recently elected to the prestigious Australian Academy of Science for his important contributions to the genetics of human behaviour and complex diseases. He and his 70 strong research staff are robust contributors to the genome-wide association scan studies currently revolutionising genetics research around the world. This year they have found a gene linked to melanoma, another to blue eyes, and are currently pinpointing genes responsible for moles, depression and dependence on alcohol and nicotine. Dr Stuart MacGregor is the young genetic epidemiologist in Professor Martin's group who led the melanoma study team. Stuart recently published their findings, that variations on the human chromosome 20 indicate susceptibility to melanoma, in the high profile Journal Nature Genetics. A trained mathematician, he developed special computer software in order to analyse the huge amounts of data generated from the genome-wide scan which other geneticists around the world are now using. My own role as Co-Chair of the Health Stream at the Prime Minister's 2020 Summit and the privilege of being made an Officer of the Order of Australia were also recognised in the feature. These two honours are, without doubt, a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of the entire Institute. My own research on vaccines to combat Group A streptococcus and malaria is almost at the clinical trial stage, the success of which can only have a positive impact on public health throughout the world. It is no surprise to me, with such exciting research taking place at QIMR, that our share of competitive funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council has steadily increased each year, to reach almost $30 million for this current year. Michael Good |