Prof. Brian McGaw, Dean of Faculty of Science Technology and Engineering La Trobe University

Sept. 12, 2011 - PRLog -- •   Establishment of Agribio Science Research Centre with AUD 288 million dollars investment from La Trobe University and Victorian State Government at Melbourne campus.
•   Opportunities for Students in the area of Agri Bio Sciences
•   Victoria India Doctoral scholarships launched by Australia India Institute  
•   LIMS project [La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science] and its contribution to research in Cancer and Malaria related diseases.

New Delhi, 12th September, 2011: Professor Brian McGaw Dean of Faculty of Science Technology and Engineering at La Trobe University travelled to India for Networking Event. He was accompanied by few of the leading academics and researchers from the La Trobe University. Agents, Institution partners, perspective Institution partners, people from Industry/ leading technology organizations, staff from Australian High Commission and Victorian Government Office in India were present at the event. Event was co-hosted by Prof. Brian McGaw and Victorian Government Commissioner, Mr. Geoffrey Conaghan.
Professor Brian McGaw, the Dean of Faculty of Science Technology and Engineering, La Trobe University shared “the University’s achievements, future plans and opportunities for the attendees from various organizations to collaborate specifically in the area of AgriBio sciences. As you know we are setting up AUD 288 million dollar Research Centre on our Melbourne campus, which will be up and running next year.”
Professor McGaw’s research has involved the application of his expertise in analytical chemistry to a broad range of areas including the biosynthesis of secondary plant metabolites, food and agriculture and groundwater quality and monitoring. His extensive publication record includes over 140 publications in books, refereed journals, conference proceedings and government- and industry-funded reports.
During this visit of Professor Brian McGaw, La Trobe University is expected to sign MOU with Delhi Technological Institute.
ERA ranking

La Trobe ranks among one among the top universities in the world for biochemistry and cell biology according to the recently announced by Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) report.

Leading La Trobe research ranges from helping combat auto-immune diseases and malaria to developing pest resistant plants and tackling bio-security issues.  Of the 34 universities surveyed, La Trobe scored an ERA rating of five, the highest rating possible, which places the University well above world standard in life sciences.

ERA the most comprehensive research exercise ever undertaken in Australia confirms La Trobe as one of the nation’s leading research universities.  In the field of biochemistry and cell biology research, La Trobe was the only university in Australia to receive a top score of five. Condensed matter physics – a high-profile field in which researchers work very closely with our biological scientists –also attained a top score of five.

These ranking are a clear endorsement of the University’s research strengths as construction begins on the $97.9 million La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science (LIMS) on the Melbourne campus. Building is also well underway for the $288 million nearby Agribio Centre, and work on the $60 million La Trobe Rural Health School in Bendigo begins shortly.






Agribioscience Centre and it's contribution to future Agricultural meet

AgriBio will be a multi million dollar world-class facility [AUD 288 million] for agricultural biosciences research and development. The facility will be fully operational in 2012.  The facility is a joint venture between La Trobe University and the Victorian Government, through the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

AgriBio will enhance Victoria's capacity for preparedness, rapid detection, response and management of plant and animal pest and disease outbreaks, to help to protect the State's $11.8 billion agricultural sector. AgriBio will have a major impact on the quality of scientific research to be conducted in Victoria through enhanced science programs, collaboration, increased research capability and attraction of world-leading scientists and collaborators. The facility will strengthen Victoria's international reputation for plant, animal and microbial biosciences and bioprotection research and diagnostics.

This world-class facility will accommodate up to 400 staff - including scientists, students and support staff - from La Trobe and DPI. La Trobe's existing biosciences staff and activities in the plant and animal sciences, sustainability, bioinformatics and 'E' science will relocate to AgriBio, joining all of DPI's metropolitan based Biosciences Research division staff and some of DPI’s Future Farming Systems Research division staff.

LIMS project and it's contribution to state of the art Research in Cancer and Malaria related diseases.
The La Trobe Institute for Molecular Sciences (LIMS) will undertake world-class research in the areas of molecular science, biotechnology & nanotechnology. Along with partners in the broader Northern Melbourne Science Precinct, LIMS will train the next generation of scientists with skills to facilitate the development of a robust biotechnology industry.
The Institute will support, expand and extend the teaching and research work of the School of Molecular Sciences at La Trobe University. Different disciplines (biochemistry, chemistry, genetics, plant biology, physiology, physics, molecular archaeology) will intermingle in shared work-space to achieve aims that would not be possible in traditional academic settings. Postgraduate and postdoctoral scientists will work in an environment in which basic research findings are pursued, but also successfully translated into commercial products, such as therapeutic and diagnostic reagents for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease.
Acting as a hub, LIMS will provide infrastructure for collaborative projects involving partners that include the CRCs for Biomarker Translation and Cancer Therapeutics, the Victorian AgriBioscience Centre, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coherent Xray Science, and AgriBio - the Centre for AgriBioscience.
LIMS will be vertically integrated and will work to expose secondary school students to university research and higher education, to provoke their interest in science, and to inspire them to consider careers in science. It will integrate undergraduate and postgraduate teaching together with research using the same space and equipment. A key focus will be the provision of opportunities for training of laboratory heads. This will enable capacity building by targeting researchers who have completed one or two post-doctoral appointments, and need experience that will prepare them for independent positions as academic and research laboratory heads or managers. The project will address the immediate critical shortage of bioscientists.

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