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Mapping pancreatic cancer genes reveals hidden secrets for treatment

PancCurrent cancer researchreatic cancer has long been considered a mysterious, deadly disease. It has the highest mortality rate of all the major cancers, and it is one of the few cancer types for which survival has not substantially improved over the last 40 years.

But two Australian researchers can now tell us why. They know how to fix it, and ACRF funding will play a pivotal role in the realisation of their treatment plan.

Professors Sean Grimmond from Brisbane’s Institute for Molecular Biosciences (IMB), and Andrew Biankin from the newly opened Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Sydney (formerly of the Garvan Institute) led an international team of researchers towards this ground-breaking discovery.

They sequenced the genes of 100 pancreatic tumour cells and, in order to determine the genetic changes which lead to the cancer, they compared their results to normal tissue. Continue reading “Mapping pancreatic cancer genes reveals hidden secrets for treatment”

Vale Professor Rob Sutherland

The ACRF was deeply saddened to learn of the passing this morning of one of the giants of cancer research in this country, Professor Rob Sutherland. The Board, staff and supporters of ACRF convey our deepest sympathies to Prof. Sutherland’s wife Cheryl and all members of their family.

Prof. Sutherland was a very long-serving member (20 years), in a totally honorary capacity, of our scientific advisory committee and was awarded Life Membership of the ACRF in 2009 for exemplary service.

At the time of his passing, he was Head of Research at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and also Director of the newly-created Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Sydney (which combines the Garvan and St Vincent’s Hospital). The Kinghorn Cancer Centre was officially opened by the Prime Minister in late August this year and only yesterday, ACRF was privileged to open the new ACRF-funded Molecular Genetics Facility within the centre. Professor Sutherland was one of a small number of visionaries behind the creation of this comprehensive cancer centre, and was undoubtedly well pleased that the initiative had become a reality during his lifetime.

Professor Sutherland has been a leader in Australian cancer research, and the research sector is much the poorer his passing.

Thank you Rob for your great service.

World-class Genetics Facility Now Open

Fighting cancerToday her excellency Prof. Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of NSW will officially open a world-class ACRF-funded facility at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Darlinghurst, NSW.

In line with the ACRF’s mission to fund only the best research initiatives in Australia, the ACRF Molecular Genetics Facility houses next-generation sequencing technology that has the power to carry out internationally competitive research in cancer genetics.

The facility was developed through a $5 million ACRF grant made in honour of the late Lady (Sonia) McMahon, life member and founding trustee of the ACRF. A plaque in Lady McMahon’s honour will be unveiled today at the official opening of the centre.

“Without doubt, and over a long period of time, the Garvan’s researchers, led by Professor Rob Sutherland, have been up there with the best in the world and we know this new facility will further strengthen their work,” said ACRF Chairman Tom Dery. Continue reading “World-class Genetics Facility Now Open”

ACRF Molecular Genomics Facility opened by the Governor of NSW

Fighting cancerToday Her Excellency Prof. Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of NSW will officially open a world-class ACRF-funded facility at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Sydney.

The facility houses next-generation sequencing technology with the power to carry out internationally competitive research in cancer genetics.

Continue reading “ACRF Molecular Genomics Facility opened by the Governor of NSW”

ACRF and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre opening

current cancer researchThe ACRF is very excited to attend the opening of the world-class Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Darlinghurst, Sydney today.

The comprehensive cancer facility is a joint project of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and St. Vincent’s Hospital, and it is modeled on revolutionary medical centres overseas which bring patients, clinicians and research scientists together under the one roof.

The Kinghorn Cancer Centre will play a major role in the future of Australian cancer care. It’s multidisciplinary approach covers the entire cancer journey, working to reduce the impact of cancer in the community through research, while providing holistic patient care from diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and quality of life.

The ACRF is proud to support this fantastic facility, having provided a significant $5 million towards its development. Continue reading “ACRF and the Kinghorn Cancer Centre opening”

ACRF awards $8.5 million to 4 world-class cancer research initiatives

Australia’s best scientists have been given a major boost in their fight against cancer, with the announcement of $8.5 million worth of grants from the ACRF to the nation’s finest research institutions.

The Foundation awarded a total of three grants – to $2million grant to The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (Melbourne), $2.4million to Western Australian Institute for Medical Research and $1.6million to Monash Institute of Medical Research (Melbourne).  This is in addition to the ‘top-up’ grant of $2.5 million the ACRF pledged earlier to The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, a joint facility of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.

Continue reading “ACRF awards $8.5 million to 4 world-class cancer research initiatives”

2010 ACRF grant recipients

The 2010 ACRF grants – totalling $8.5 million – will fund two new cancer divisions, a scanner for imaging tumour development and state-of-the-art genomic technologies. Since 1987 the Foundation has provided 41 grants totalling almost $71 million to Australian cancer research institutes ($48 million of which has been awarded in the last six years). This year four grants have been awarded to four cutting edge research projects around the country. Continue reading “2010 ACRF grant recipients”

ACRF awards $5M cancer research grant for Kinghorn Cancer Centre and honours Lady (Sonia) McMahon

The Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) will tonight award its equal largest ever research grant of $5 million towards the construction of The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, a joint facility of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.

The ACRF grant honours the late Lady (Sonia) McMahon, life member and one of two joint founders of the Foundation (the other being the late Sir Peter Abeles).

Continue reading “ACRF awards $5M cancer research grant for Kinghorn Cancer Centre and honours Lady (Sonia) McMahon”