New protein crystallisation facility set to sparkle

Tuesday, June 5th 2006

Today marks the launch of a new $5.3 million facility to help Australian researchers solve protein structures.

The Bio21 Collaborative Crystallisation Centre (Bio21-C3) will be opened by the Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry, Matt Viney, MP.

The first of its kind in Australia, the Centre is a multi node research and development consortium designed to develop and enhance protein crystallisation expertise using the latest in automation and robotics.

Protein crystallography allows researchers to understand proteins at the atomic level and unlock their structure. Scientists can then use the information to design drugs for human and animal health, chemicals for plant protection or to solve a multitude of life science problems.

Under the Bio21 banner, the Centre is jointly operated by CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent’s Institute, the Burnet Institute, and the Victorian College of Pharmacy (Monash University).

Operating out of four Melbourne sites, the Centre offers services such as robotic crystallisation screening and refinement, robotic crystal tray imaging, microfluidic crystallisation, and dynamic and static light scattering, using 10-100 times less material than required for manual methods.

Chair of the Bio21-C3 Oversight Committee, Dr Colin Ward, said that for the first time researchers will have access to a suite of state-of-the-art infrastructure capable of making an impact at what has arguably become the rate-limiting step in protein structure determination.

"Crystals play a critical role in understanding the molecular structure of proteins," Dr Ward said.

"No other method for protein analysis can give such detailed information about protein structure. Whilst in the past protein crystal growth has been difficult and labour intensive, Australia now has a fantastic new research facility which brings automation and computer-aided decision making into the process. Additionally the Centre will be an important feeder for the Australian Synchrotron when it begins operation in 2007."

Dr Stella Clark, CEO of Bio21 Australia Ltd, said Bio21 was delighted to help with the creation of the Centre through the provision of Victorian Government Bio21:STI (Science Technology Innovation) funds.

"This Centre is yet another example of how the Bio21 cluster model can work to create a virtual facility which encourages interactive research and the cross-fertilisation of ideas," Dr Clark said.

"To provide this crystallisation infrastructure in each individual laboratory would have been very costly and result in serious duplication. This way, highly specialised equipment and expertise is being shared across our research community in a way that is efficient and cost effective, and which also fosters co-operation and collaboration."

The Centre’s first major coup was to attract Dr Janet Newman back to Australia from the USA to run the facility. Dr Newman is an internationally recognised leader in the development of crystallisation techniques and methodology, with over twenty years of experience in the field.

"Bio21-C3 will provide the resources to develop novel technologies in protein crystallogenesis," Dr Newman said.

"Even a small improvement in our understanding of how crystals form could lead to a significant increase in the rate of biomedical outcomes."

Run as a not-for-profit technology platform, the Centre is accessible by all research groups within Victoria - commercial, academic and government.

High resolution images of the Bio21 Collaborative Crystallisation Centreare available on request.

Further Information:
Dr Janet Newman CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies	+61 3 9662 7326 janet.newman@csiro.au
Media Assistance:
Warrick Glynn CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies	0408 117 846 warrick.glynn@csiro.au
www.csiro.au