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The Co-operative Research Centre for
Biomarker Translation (CRC-BT) focuses on the development of
diagnostic and therapeutic agents for the treatment of
cancer and autoimmune diseases. The CRC-BT was officially
formed in November 2007, after securing over $30 million
from the Australian Federal Government. Participants in the
CRC-BT are contributing a further $87 million, made up of
both cash and services, over the seven year government
funding period.
CRC-BT participants include the Burnet
Institute and La Trobe University in Melbourne, the Mater
Medical Research Institute and Mater Misericordiae Health
Services located in Brisbane, the Women’s and Children’s
Health Research Institute and the Institute of Medical and
Veterinary Science located in Adelaide and commercial
partners Becton Dickinson Biosciences (USA) and Amgen (USA).
The CRC-BT is headquartered at La Trobe University in
Australia.
The CRC-BT’s principal objective is the development of
antibodies directed against therapeutic and diagnostic
targets (biomarkers) present on cells that play a key role
in major diseases, including autoimmune disease (especially
rheumatoid arthritis) and cancers (haematological,
colorectal, breast and prostate). It is hoped that the
outputs from the CRC-BT will transform the management of
these diseases through the development of specific
diagnostic tests and new therapeutics associated with novel
cell surface molecules, referred to as “Membrane
Biomarkers”, identified on cancer cells and human
leucocytes.
The CRC-BT has an integrated research
development pipeline (program) consisting of 5 subprograms
in: 1. biomarker discovery; 2. antibody generation; 3.
preclinical evaluation and disease correlation; 4.
diagnostic development; and 5. therapeutic and clinical
testing.
The CRC-BT has a comprehensive education program. The
program facilitates formal Ph.D. opportunities for graduate
students in the form of ‘top-up’ funds for students already
holding a post graduate award, and full scholarships for
students who have no post graduate awards. In addition we
have opportunities for post graduate Business/Management
students who are interested in the Biotechnology sector to
carry out formal study in this area. For more information
please contact Dr. Andy Coley, CRC-BT Education Program
Director, at La Trobe University
a.coley@latrobe.edu.au or by phone on +(03) 9479 2149. |
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