Research Institute: Australian National University
Amount granted: $1 million
Year granted: 1997
ACRF awarded the John Curtin School of Medical Research of $1 million to establish a genetics laboratory for research into induced single gene mutation models of human cancers.
The grant has been used to create a “genetic library” to help identify cancer genes. The aim is to identify genes that are important in controlling cancer and cancer cells, for example, genes regulating cell migration, regulating DNA repair and regulating immunity to cancer cells. By identifying genes that are critical cancer-regulator genes, those genes can then be used for prevention, early diagnosis and cure.
Achievements
What your donations have achieved
Cervical cancer vaccine
We gave initial seed funding to Professor Ian Frazer’s research into the cervical cancer (HPV). Over 150 million doses of vaccine have been delivered worldwide to date.
The pill that melts away cancer
Our long term support of cancer research at WEHI has led to a treatment that melts away certain advanced forms of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. It has been approved for clinical use in the US, European Union and Australia and is being trialed for other types of cancer.
Personalised cancer diagnosis
In 2015, we awarded $10 million seed funding to an ambitious cancer proteome project that aims to provide each cancer patient a personalised treatment plan within 36 hours. This will improve treatment outcomes and help avoid unnecessary treatments.
Zero childhood cancer
We are one of the founding partners of the initiative that will tackle the most serious cases of infant, childhood and adolescent cancer in Australia. It is a key step towards the program vision of one day helping to cure 100% of children with cancer.
