Centre For Cancer Biology (CCB), SA Pathology and University of Adelaide – 2009

Amount granted: $3.5 million

For: Equipment

Chief Investigators : Prof Angel Lopez, Sharad Kumar, Tim Hughes, Hamish Scott.

Project description : Cancer genomics

The CCB is a new enterprise – launched in 2009, closely aligned to scientists at the University of Adelaide. A Cancer Genomics Facility will maximise the unique expertise of the Chief Investigators and the local tissue bank resources. The standouts in terms of uniqueness, and highly relevant to our cancer research, are the Tissue Bank collection and the Liquid Nitrogen Facility.

SA Pathology, being a centralised pathology service, offers a remarkable Tissue Bank Collection which is the envy of many cancer research institutes worldwide. This is supported by a fully operational Liquid Nitrogen Facility which may be regarded as one of the best, if not the best, in Australia.

Bioinformatics and Information Technology

Recognising that Bioinformatics is an important element of this application the new equipment will enable the Genomics Facility to generate vast quantities of data and to optimally interpret and exploit the data and increase capacity and speed of output.

The new Cancer Genome Facility would bring a new dimension to these efforts. They hope to obtain insights into the genetic modifications that underpin development of new tools for better diagnostics, disease prognosis, drug response, and resistance to chemotherapy. Ultimately clinical translation will lead to a more personalised and effective cancer management

Cancer types: Colorectal, Gastrointestinal/Colon, Prostate, Breast, Ovarian & Maematological malignancies

Proposed name of facility: ACRF South Australian Cancer Genome Facility

Previous ACRF grants: Nil*

*Adelaide overall, however, the following grants have been awarded:

• 1994 $1.0mil Hanson Institute;
• 2002 $1.5mil Uni Adelaide;
• 2005 $1.0mil Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer