Australasian Biotechnology (backfiles) AusBiotech ISSN: 1036-7128 Vol. 11, Num. 3, 2001, pp. 17-18

Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 11 No. 3, 2001, pp. 17-18

AusBiotech NEWS

Code Number: au01035

• BRANCH NEWS
  • Canberra Region Branch
  • Queensland Branch News
  • Victorian Branch
• BOOKS & JOURNALS

BRANCH NEWS

Canberra Region Branch

The Canberra Branch of AusBiotech had two meetings in April and May.

On 19 April the Minister for Education, the Hon Bill Stefaniak MLA, presented the inaugural ACT Honour's Prize to Mr Patrick Loughlin of the Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Australian National University and Ms Erin Quak of the Gastro-Enterology Research Group, Canberra Hospital. Mr Loughlin's Honour's thesis was on the "Structure and function of SHST1, an affinity sulphate transporter from tropical forage legume Stylosanthes hamata". Ms Quak completed a thesis on the genetics of inflammatory bowel disease. This year the Prize was sponsored by the ACT Chief Minister's Department and the winners received cheques of $300 and $150 respectively, plus complimentary memberships to AusBiotech for 12 months. The formal presentation was followed by an informal buffet with wine and cheese for about 50 people.

On 1 May, AusBiotech was fortunate to have an international speaker. Mr Gerard Siclet from the French Academy of Science spoke to an AusBiotech breakfast meeting on biotechnology in France. M. Siclet was in Canberra as part of a French delegation under the auspices of the French Australian Industrial Research Group from 29 April to 3 May. FAIR assists companies and research institutions in Australia and France to build links through collaboration and industrial research and technology transfer and M. Siclet was part of a large French delegation involved in imaging, in-vitro and non-invasive medical diagnosis. A number of Australian firms participated in the delegation and we were also pleased to see some of these in the audience at the AusBiotech breakfast. M. Siclet outlined the size of the biotechnology activity in France and in particular the efforts of the government to establish 8 "Genopoles" to promote biotechnology R&D. The breakfast was attended by 24 people. The FAIR meeting concluded in Sydney on 4 May with a farewell dinner and plenary sessions after the French delegates had also visited Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

On 22 May the Canberra Region Branch will be holding an industry roundtable on bringing a company to IPO. The speakers will be Dr Noel Chambers, Managing Director of Biotron Ltd, an ANU-spinoff listed on the stock exchange early in 2001, and Dr John Ballard, Managing Director of GroPep Ltd. At the end of the meeting on 22 May we are also providing the opportunity for representatives of the Department of Industry Science and Resources (Biotechnology Australia) to brief local members on the Biotechnology Innovation Fund.

The Branch also plans a dinner in conjunction with the Environment Business Association on 18 June.

For more information on any forthcoming events please contact Dr Lyndal Thorburn, Branch Chair, Tel: (020) 6297 2438 or lyndal@advanceconsulting.com.au

Queensland Branch News

• The second BioIndustry Breakfast for the year will be hosted in conjunction with the BioIndustries group on June the 13th. The morning will include a short speech from the Managing Director of Genetic Solutions, Dr. Gerard Davis, and a series of short talks designed to prepare members for the upcoming BIO2001 meetings.
• The Queensland Branch of AusBiotech is planning to host its annual meeting in November this year. We are currently looking at a 24-hour format and a Gold Coast venue. Members are encouraged to contact Greg Harper to offer any support they can provide to the organising committee. Members of the organising committee will be approaching our corporate members for sponsorship support in various forms. The goal of the meeting will be to accelerate our networking efforts and share our expertise to build the biotechnology sector in Qld and Australia. We intend to work with other groups such as BioLink and NeXus to extend the reach of the AusBiotech's activities.
• The branch committee is collating information from a member needs questionnaire it has run through the web. It is clear that members are looking for more events, networking particularly, and more training in marketing and commercialisation. We will do our best to incorporate this feedback into the planning for our November meeting.

Greg Harper, Branch Chairman Ph: 61 7 3214 2281 fax: 61 7 3214 2881 mobile: 0418 790 486

Victorian Branch

It has been a busy couple of months for the Victorian Branch. Several successful functions were conducted during April and May including:

• A round table fora discussing the Prime Minister's Innovation Statement (approximately 30 attendees). We would like to thank Freehills Carter Smith Beadle for assisting the Branch with this activity.
• A breakfast with Associate Professor Douglas Powell discussing issues of risk communication using GM foods as an example (again with approximately 30 attendees). We would like to thank Blake Dawson Waldron for assisting the Branch with this activity.
• The AusBiotech Victorian Committee, along with the Victorian Department of State and Regional Development, the City of Melbourne and the Committee for Melbourne, had the opportunity to introduce BioMelbourne to the wider biotechnology community at a breakfast in early May. Over 120 people attended the event which provided an insight into what BioMelbourne aimed to achieve as well as some advice on how to survive the upcoming BIO2001 in San Diego. The Branch was assisted by the Committee for Melbourne and the City of Melbourne with this activity.

The other major event with which the Victorian Branch assisted was the ABA Extraordinary General meeting. I would like to thank the committee members for their assistance on the night and for liaising with Victorian Members to answer questions about the 2 Resolutions involving the new name and Constitution.

In the months ahead, the AusBiotech Victorian Branch plans to hold the following activities:

• End July - Cocktail Party
• August - CHIF/ABA Meeting in Sydney
• August - Third RTF
  - Second Career Development Activity
• September - Special Seminar
• October - Fourth RTF
• November - Christmas party

In addition to the above activities, the Victorian Committee are looking at opportunities to provide a public education session on a facet of biotechnology. If you have a suggestion for other activities, topics or speakers the Victorian Committee would love to hear from you.

Finally, the AusBiotech Annual Conference is slowly gathering momentum. The date and venue have been set (18th to the 22nd of August 2002 at the Melbourne Convention Centre). The Victorian Branch will be actively working with other members of AusBiotech to make the Melbourne a successful and significant biotechnology event in 2002 so please "watch this space" for further developments and announcements.

If any AusBiotech Victorian Member wishes to contact the Committee about any matter relating to biotechnology or to provide some input, ideas or assistance, please either contact myself or Noelene, our Committee Secretary, on the following numbers.

Scott Carpenter (03) 9248 6833

Noelene Treloar 0411-096-388

We shall keep you informed of functions as they are organised and we look forward to seeing you there.

Scott Carpenter (Chair of the AusBiotech Victorian Branch) on behalf of the AusBiotech Victorian Committee.

Copyright 2001 - AusBiotech