November 24, 2011 Print
The Westmead Institute for Cancer Research (WICR) has been awarded the largest Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) grant at the Foundation’s annual Chairman’s Dinner, held in Sydney last night.
The $5 million grant will allow WICR to develop two new ACRF Melanoma Research Laboratories that will facilitate collaborative research with another internationally recognised melanoma research operation based in Newcastle.
The two research teams have worked on significant projects and publications in the past, but merging their facilities will significantly strengthen the quality of research into this most deadly form of skin cancer.*
Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research also received ACRF grants last night, at $2 million each.
These research centres were three of five institutes in the running to receive these grants, shortlisted from 16 original applicants due to the outstanding quality of their work in melanoma research.
“Westmead’s discovery of a melanoma-risk gene last week [see Background Info**] is testament to the significant potential for this centre to make incredible progress in the field of cancer research,” says ACRF Chief Executive, David Brettell.
“Their application for ACRF funding, even when it was newly submitted to us in May of this year, was a clear standout.”
ACRF grant applications are assessed by a highly esteemed committee of Australian cancer researchers, chaired by Professor Ian Frazer (co-creator of the cervical cancer vaccine).
“Our medical research advisory committee is always very impressed with the work at WMI, so much so, that Westmead has been awarded two previous ACRF grants in 2000 and 2005.”