Andrew Roberts wins Burnet Prize

Wednesday, November 10th 2004

Dr Andrew Roberts, from the Cancer and Haematology Division, has been awarded the Burnet Prize, the most coveted honour of The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. The announcement was made at WEHI's Annual General Meeting on 10 November 2004.

The award, established through a bequest of Sir Macfarlane Burnet, recognises pioneering research by WEHI's younger scientists.

Dr Roberts was lauded for his outstanding work on the molecular recognition of granulocyte formation and the role of a particular Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling, SOCS3. Cytokines are chemical messengers between cells that regulate the growth and actions of white blood cells and the receptors on cells that recognise and respond to the cytokines. SOCS molecules modulate the signals that cells receive, ensuring that the cells' responses are not distorted and therefore potentially damaging.

At WEHI, Dr Roberts is Sir Edward Dunlop Clinical Research Fellow of the Cancer Council Victoria and a physician, Bone Marrow Transplantation Service, Department of Clinical Haematology and Medical Oncology at The Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Professor Cory notes, "Dr Roberts is a superb example of an 'endangered species' - the physician scientist.  The excellence of his basic research is always informed by and directed to better treatment for cancer patients."

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Brad Allan

WEHI Community Relations Manager
Phone: (03) 9345 2345
Mobile: 0403 036 116
Email: allan@wehi.edu.au