MURDOCH’S Centre for the Biomolecular Control of Disease (CBCD) is proving collaboration can pay dividends after the recent announcement it will receive funding of $500,000 over three years from European drug giant SmithKline Beecham.

An integral part of the newly-formed Curtin/Murdoch WA Biomedical Research Institute (WABRI), the CBCD is led by Murdoch Professor of Parasitology Professor Andrew Thompson and Murdoch Pharmacology/Chemotherapy Associate Professor Jim Reynoldson.

Professor Thompson said the funding, which would commence next year, was a good indication of the ongoing success of the Curtin/Murdoch WABRI collaboration.

WABRI was formed last year as a State-funded Centre of Excellence focusing on biomedical research and development.

It consists of two nodes - Murdoch’s Centre for the Biomolecular Control of Disease (CBCD) located in the Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Science - and Curtin University’s Centre for Molecular Technology and Therapeutics (CMTT).

Murdoch’s Centre for the Biomolecular Control of Disease (CBCD) has more than 30 biomedical scientists and several research groups, including those led by Murdoch principal researchers Drs Cassie Lawson and Wayne Greene.

Dr Lawson’s work focuses on immunotherapy and drug vaccines while Dr Greene is concentrating on the molecular basis of leukaemia.

Chief investigators Professor Andrew Thompson and Associate Professor Jim Reynoldson are researching molecular parasitology and anti-parasitic drug development respectively.

Their work is highly regarded by current collaborators and Murdoch’s Centre for the Biomolecular Control of Disease (CBCD) has already established a world-class reputation for its research work in infectious diseases and pharmacology.

This is highlighted by major links with industry, the World Health organization (WHO), other universities and the Government.

Murdoch’s CBCD biomedical researchers have attracted more than $5 million in research funding over the last five years and generated more than 100 publications.

WABRI’s Curtin node – the Centre for Molecular Technology and Therapeutics (CMTT) – consists of more than 45 biomedical scientists and postgraduate students working to provide novel solutions to a range of scientific problems within the healthcare, pharmaceutical, medical and biotechnology industries.

The CMTT has a strong molecular focus with particular emphasis on bioinformatics, genomics and protemics.

Principal scientists include Professor Michael Garlepp whose biomedical research focus is pharmacogenetics; Professor Warren Grubb (molecular microbiology); Associate Professor Erik Helmerhorst (diabetes and rational drug design) and Professor Colin Sanderson (molecular and cellular mechanisms of asthma).

“WABRI’s aim is to provide high quality expertise and training for the benefit of industry, government and the community,” added Professor Thompson.

“The Institute will also attract leading scientists to the State, help create new jobs in the biotechnology industry and strengthen WA’s capacity for world-class training.”