A revolution is underway in research into the molecular basis of life. Advances in our understanding of genes, proteins and metabolites are producing a wealth of applications in areas as diverse a
s the development of new drugs, novel crop varieties and biofuels.
The Australian Government is committing $50 million through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) for facilities to support bio-molecular research.
Managed through a new co-ordinating body – Bioplatforms Australia – this investment will deliver services in the specialist areas of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics through networks of collaborating organisations.
NCRIS will provide funding to support gene discovery and genome analysis in the Australian Genome Research Facility, universities and specialist centres around Australia.
The investment in proteomics - research into protein structure and function – will build on the existing Australian Proteome Analysis Facility with collaborating partners.
Metabolomics – the investigation of metabolic products in cells, tissues, fluids, organs and organisms – gains support at network nodes based in four states, while NCRIS support for bioinformatics will enable the effective data management required by biomolecular research.
The collaboration between genomics, proteomics and metabolomics this project can achieve will put Australian science on the international map and enhance its international engagement. It is helping to provide Australians with the tools to be leaders in medical and agricultural research and the life sciences.
Dr Susan Forrest, Director, Australian Genome Research Facility & Convenor, Genomics Australia
The NCRIS investment gives access to leading-edge technologies that were not previously affordable to most researchers. It is enhancing the collaborative scientific endeavours across genomics, proteomics and metabolomics and allowing us to generate an encyclopaedia of knowledge with high-throughput systems. We need each other’s expertise when searching for answers among thousands of genes, proteins and metabolites simultaneously.
There is a now a shared vision in the research community with strong support for the capability that’s been delivered by BioPlatforms Australia. Australian scientists want to work together and have affordable access to the very best state-of-the-art instrumentation that this investment provides – after all the ‘omics’ is in reality driven by economics.
Professor Mark Baker, CEO, Australian Proteome Analysis Facility & Convenor, Proteomics Australia
Bioplatforms Australia Limited (BPA) is the governing body established to oversee all elements of the Project. BPA comprises four platforms: Genomics Australia, Proteomics Australia, Metabolomics Australia, and The Australian Bioinfomatics Facility.
Genomics Australia will have nodes in Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia and aims to: enhance the utilisation of genome science in Australian research projects; deliver access to state-of-the-art genomics technologies; increase the knowledge of the capabilities of genome science; encourage collaboration and better utilisation of the vast array of biological resources available in Australia; and develop effective and efficient service delivery that reduces duplication and maximises integration of distributed capabilities.
Proteomics Australia (PA) will be a national, critical mass consortium of expert proteomics practitioners based on a hub-and-spokes organisational model that will develop Australia’s synergistic and complementary proteomics capabilities by providing both world-class infrastructure and services. The new consortium will consist of leading Australian universities, a leading medical research institution and a biotechnology company. PA also includes the establishment of a Monoclonal Antibody Technology Facility (MATF) at Monash University. The vision of the MATF is to provide high quality monoclonal antibodies and support services using proprietary high throughput technology.
Metabolomics Australia (MA), which will also be based on a hub-and-spokes organisational model, will have nodes in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland and will focus on: establishing and maintaining a sustainable state-of-the-art metabolomics service with a supporting computational data storage and analysis capacity; working with genomics and proteomics NCRIS platforms and other groups to develop an integrated approach to defining the molecular profile of living systems; providing open access for academia and industry; training in skills necessary to use MA’s advanced metabolomics technologies; promoting the dissemination and uptake of the technology through workshops and conferences; and leveraging other relevant science, technology and innovation infrastructure to achieve strong socio/economic benefits in relevant National Research Priority areas. Metabolomics Australia will be the entity established to oversee and coordinate the individual nodes within the platform.
The Australian Bioinformatics Facility (ABF) will deliver leading edge bioinformatics infrastructure, services and support to the other ‘omics’ platforms (genomics, proteomics and metabolomics) via coordinated use of shared resources. Specifically, the ABF will: jointly coordinate, with platform convenors, bioinformatics capabilities embedded in the ‘omics’ platforms; develop and provide high-level bioinformatics capabilities and services, including the storage, management, curation, integration and collaborative annotation of ‘omic’ data; ensure best practice in bioinformatics and statistical analysis of ‘omic’ data, and the transfer of technology and skills into ‘omic’ bioinformatics; and establish and consolidate links with major international bioinformatics centres and programs, including the hosting of mirrors of international databases and data sets. The Bioinformatics Management Group will oversee the operation of this platform.
A key principle of NCRIS is that the facilities funded by the programme should be accessible to researchers on the basis of merit at reasonable prices, wherever they are located in Australia.
For enquiries about Bioplatforms Australia Limited, please contact:
Mr Andrew Gilbert
General Manager and Company Secretary
Bioplatforms Australia Limited
Level 4 Building F7B
Research Park Drive
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY NSW 2109
Australia
Tel: +61 2 9850 6281
Mobile: +61 410 538 648
Email: agilbert@proteome.org.au
For matters related to management of the NCRIS programme, please contact the NCRIS Team by email at ncris@dest.gov.au or by telephone on 02 6229 4223.