UQ & top Aussie behind research powerhouse

The University of Queensland and the Australian of Year, Professor Ian Frazer, said today $100 million towards new science infrastructure would pave the way for Queensland to have one of the world’s most advanced medical research facilities.

UQ Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Hay, AC, said UQ and Professor Frazer initially proposed a translational medical research facility at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, a major UQ research and teaching hospital.

“Patients, medical researchers and the Queensland and Australian economies would benefit hugely from this infrastructure,” Professor Hay said.

“It would be unique in Australia, and would be one of only a handful of facilities of its kind worldwide.

“It would have the capacity to transport a laboratory discovery through the rigorous and lengthy processes leading to advanced clinical trials (after which a product may go to market),” he said.

The translational medical research facility would house UQ’s Centre for Immunology and Cancer Research, which Professor Frazer directs.

Professor Frazer said that, had such a facility existed 15 years ago when he and Dr Jian Zhou discovered the cervical cancer vaccine in a UQ laboratory, then more significant revenues from the vaccine would have remained in Queensland.

“This in turn would have created more jobs for medical scientists in Queensland, and enabled more income to be reinvested in Queensland-based research and development,” Professor Frazer said.

“The possibility of being part of Australia’s most comprehensive translational research facility is tremendously exciting.

“The facility would ultimately house about 500 scientists, who would work on translating science into better patient outcomes.

“Potentially, it could be instrumental in improving the health and quality of life of people throughout the world,” Professor Frazer said.

If the $100 million were secured, matching funding would be sought for the $300 million facility from the Australian Government, philanthropists and other sources.

Media contact: Fiona Kennedy (UQ) 07 3365 1088 / 0413 380 012 or Anton Sanker (for interviews with Professor Frazer) 07 - 3240 5938 /0412 057 512 .