Aussie researchers find genetic cause to the most common form of childhood cancer Posted on September 23, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Australian researchers have uncovered the first ever genetic marker specific to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), the most common childhood cancer. Cancer scientists at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) and Sydney Children’s Hospital, along with a worldwide team of researchers, discovered the genetic link by studying families in which multiple cases of ALL have been diagnosed. Dr David Ziegler, Clinical Research Fellow at CCIA, paediatric oncologist at Sydney Children’s Hospital and lead Australian author of the research paper said, “Leukaemia cells often contain many different genetic mutations, making it difficult to detect which ones actually cause the leukaemia.” Continue reading “Aussie researchers find genetic cause to the most common form of childhood cancer”
Rosebank College visits CCIA to learn how we are helping to fight cancer Posted on September 11, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit In celebration of National Science Week, we recently welcomed the year 11 Rosebank Biology class to the ACRF Drug Discovery Lab at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA). This educational tour allowed the students to get up-close with the cutting-edge technologies used inside a real laboratory, while meeting some of Australia’s best cancer scientists who are making amazing progress in the fight against children’s cancers. The day started off with a very insightful presentation by Dr Eddy Pasquier who discussed his expertise and passion for cancer research, especially in the field of Neuroblastoma. Continue reading “Rosebank College visits CCIA to learn how we are helping to fight cancer”
Our shortlist of the most innovative cancer research projects in Australia Posted on June 20, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The ACRF is very excited with the quality of the five shortlisted applications for our grants in 2013. Some of the very best researchers in the world feature in these applications. These final five applications represent a need for more than $20 million in advanced technologies and facilities. They cover many types of cancer, not just one or two. Our highly esteemed Medical Research Advisory Committee selected these particular projects for further review on two grounds – the world-class standard of the proposed research, and the potential to achieve major breakthroughs in cancer diagnosis, treatment and cure. That committee, led by Professor Ian Frazer, will now, through a detailed interview process, recommend to our Board the best of the best for ACRF funding. The final awardees will be publicly announced on 13 November this year. Every dollar we receive in donations this year will go to research that has the power to beat cancer. Please peruse the below, to find out where ACRF donations could be making a difference very soon. Continue reading “Our shortlist of the most innovative cancer research projects in Australia”
Two new ACRF facilities in Melbourne will help fast-track discoveries Posted on May 16, 2013February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Australian Cancer Research Foundation has opened two new world-class cancer research facilities in Melbourne; the new ACRF Rational Drug Discovery Centre at St Vincent’s Institute (SVI) and a new Cancer Imaging Facility at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. These centres represent $4 million in Australian Cancer Research Foundation funding that would not have been made possible without the support of our amazing donors. The potential for ground breaking discoveries within these world-class facilities is extremely exciting. Each of them houses the latest in advanced drug screening and imaging technologies, promising to find new treatment targets and therapeutic options faster than ever before. Please find details about each cancer research facility below. Continue reading “Two new ACRF facilities in Melbourne will help fast-track discoveries”
ACRF Cancer Discovery Centre at CCIA opens for National Science Week Posted on August 11, 2011February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit The Lowy Cancer Research Centre at the University of New South Wales, will kick off National Science Week with an exclusive tour of their ACRF Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer on Friday August 12, 2011. The centre, which is part of the Children’s Cancer Research Institute Australia, was developed through a $3.1 million in ACRF funding. It features Ham and Milton, two robots which work to dramatically accelerate the search for a cure for childhood cancer. These robots are the only two of their kind in Australia dedicated to childhood cancer research, and tomorrow high school students from Sydney will witness the wonders of this technology at a tour led by CCIA’s world-class researchers. Continue reading “ACRF Cancer Discovery Centre at CCIA opens for National Science Week”
Breakthrough in lung cancer research Posted on May 5, 2011February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Researchers at the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) are using the ACRF Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer to enhance a recent breakthrough in lung cancer research. Every year more than 9,000 Australians are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. It is one of the most lethal forms of cancer. But while looking for ways to treat childhood solid cancer tumours, CCIA found a promising new therapy technique for lung cancer patients in Australia and throughout the world. Continue reading “Breakthrough in lung cancer research”
ACRF Drug Discovery Centre update Posted on February 14, 2011February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Researchers at the ACRF Drug Discovery Centre, located in the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia (CCIA), are now screening the most promising drugs in the treatment for childhood cancers with a one of a kind robot funded by the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF). Coinciding with International Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, today’s announcement of the first drug screening at CCIA using this new technology is a huge step in personalised medicine and revolutionising the development of treatments for children’s cancers. Continue reading “ACRF Drug Discovery Centre update”
New era of personalised medicine Posted on August 20, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Chairman of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation Tom Dery said findings from the recently opened $3.1 ACRF Drug Discovery Centre would lead to a new era of personalised medicine. “Personalised medicine is the future of cancer therapy,” Mr Dery said. “The days of the one-size-fits-all approach to medicine will soon be over, thanks to the work of researchers at facilities such as the ACRF Drug Discovery Centre. “Targeted drug treatments can ensure fewer long term side effects and better results, and that’s the kind of outcome that motivates the people who so kindly donate to the Australian Cancer Research Foundation,” he said. Continue reading “New era of personalised medicine”
Childhood cancer on notice Posted on August 20, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit Official opening of the new ACRF Drug Discovery Centre “Tonight, together, we have put childhood cancer on notice. “Tonight, we have glimpsed a not to distant future where no child who has cancer need suffer,” declared Bob Muscat, chairman of the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia at the August 19 launch of the $3.1m ACRF Drug Discovery Centre. Mr Muscat joined University of New South Wales chancellor David Gonski, Children’s Cancer Institute Australia executive director Michelle Haber, CCIA founder Jack Kassas, and Australian Cancer Research Foundation chairman Tom Dery to officially open the new ACRF-funded facilities at the CCIA, part of the Lowy Cancer Research Centre at UNSW. The ACRF Drug Discovery Centre will develop new and improved treatments for childhood cancers. It houses customised technology that enables one year’s medical research to be done in just a few days. Continue reading “Childhood cancer on notice”
ACRF's $3.1 million launch Posted on August 6, 2010February 25, 2018 by Carly du Toit A $3.1 million ACRF Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer opens on Thursday August 19. The new facility at the Children’s Cancer Research Institute Australia – part of the recently opened Lowy Cancer Research Centre at University of New South Wales – houses the only drug screening robot in Australia. It’s innovative technology can do a year’s research in just one day and the Centre marks a new era in the development of personalised medicine. On average three children in Australia die every week from cancer. The ACRF Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer aims to change this. UNSW Chancellor, David Gonski, ACRF Chairman, Tom Dery, Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia Executive Director, Professor Michelle Haber and CCIA Chairman, Bob Muscat will speak at the launch. Click Here for ACRF Drug Discovery Centre for Childhood Cancer Media Release.
