Prof Ray Norton wins biennial ANZMAG Medal

Thursday, February 2nd 2006

WEHI's Professor Ray Norton has been accorded the top honour of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Magnetic Resonance, the ANZMAG Medal, for outstanding contributions in the field.

In congratulating him, WEHI's Director, Professor Suzanne Cory, noted that "This honour recognises that Professor Norton's research, teaching, training, leadership and advocacy have helped Victoria to assume a world competitive position in the international arena of magnetic resonance."

How does magnetic resonance work? In basic terms, when atoms are placed in a magnetic field and subjected to radiofrequency radiation, the distinctive patterns of absorption provide data that ultimately reveal the molecular structure. When the result is converted to a three dimensional computer image, a nanoscale topography is created - often resembling an asteroid in outer space, but with flexible features on the surface.

This molecular image can then be used to explore possible interactions with a range of compounds that might engage with the protein and alter its behaviour. Ultimately, this can lead to the development of new drugs to neutralize the undesirable features of disease-causing proteins.

Professor Norton said, "The field of magnetic resonance is advancing quickly. Structure determination and compound screening that until recently took a year can in future be completed in a few months, thereby advancing the process of eventual drug development. The new high-field NMR spectrometer recently installed in the Bio21 Institute greatly enhances our capacity to solve challenging structures. For my colleagues and me, it's an exciting field to work in. The 2006 ANZMAG Medal is a welcome indicator that we really are making progress in all sorts of ways."

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Brad Allan

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