ARC Metals in Medicine Network Regional Meeting Jan 2004

ARC Network Program The ARC Network Program Aims to Build on the Research Undertaken by Individuals and Small Teams To: –“Enhance the Scale and Focus of their Research” –“Encourage More Interdisciplinary Research” –“Facilitate Collaborative and Innovative Approaches to Planning and Undertaking Research”

ARC Network Program ARC Research Networks Should: –Comprise a National and International Component –Encourage Open Exchange of Information and Sharing of Resources –Lead to the Development and Implementation of Coherent and Integrated Research Plans –Nurture the Careers of Young Investigators and Research Students –Provide Links with Actual and Potential End Users and the Broader Community

ARC Network Program Project Costs Supported: –Personnel Salaries and on-costs The Network Convenor Research Associates, Professional Officers, Technicians, Laboratory Attendants etc Specialist Professional Staff –Shared Research Resources Not Eligible for Funding Under Other ARC Schemes Social Surveys Software Databases –Activities Bringing People Together Workshops and Similar Meetings Planning, Coordination and Outreach Activities Travel and Accommodation

ARC Network Program ARC Research Networks Should Aim To: “move a field of research forward or to follow significant new research directions, especially in areas of national research priority” Proposed Network is Aligned With: –Research Priority 2 (Promoting and Maintaining Good Health) –Research Priority 3 (Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Australian Industries)

ARC Network Program There are Two Applicant Roles: –Network Convenor –Network Participant Limited to 50 on Application (those with ARC funding) Other Participants non-ARC Eligible Researchers, etc, Can be Listed in Text Including Roles and Further Information for All will be Provided on Website All Participants (Including Postdocs and Postgrad Students) Have to Sign a Register to Be Kept at USyd

ARC Network Program Assistance of up to $500K pa Available From ARC Cash and In-kind Contributions are Expected from Institutions/Industry Involved in Networks ARC Expects Most Awards Will Be For 5 Years Funds Available From 1 July 2004

ARC Network Program Areas Not Supported: –Clinical Medical and Dental Research and Training that are Covered by the NHMRC –Capital Works and General Infrastructure –Salaries of Researchers (But Salaries of Research Assistants/Associates May Be Funded) –Computers etc that Duplicate Existing Facilities –Basic Research Facilities –Publication Costs –Research Support for Network Participants Not Employed by an Australian Organisation –Research or Research-related activity already funded

ARC Network Program Closing Date For Application 22 nd March 2004 –May Include Up To 5 Referee Reports (Expected to be Attached) –One Website Considered as Part of Application Draft to be Completed 28 th February to Allow Referees Reports to Be Prepared If Application To Form Network Successful Funds Available 1 st July 2004

SRI Seed Network Have Received $50K from ARC to Pursue Seed Network Aimed at Producing Full Network Application At Suggestion of ARC the Metals in Medicine Seed Network has merged with Australian Bio-Metals Research Network

SRI Seed Network Currently undertaking SRI –Establish Seed Network in Preparation for Full Network Application –Meeting/Workshop of Clinicians, Toxicologists, Industrialists and Researchers in Drug Design to Establish the National Network –Complete a National Audit of Metals in Medicine in Australia –Plan Generic Infrastructure for Testing Efficacy and Toxicity –Development of Website for Dissemination of Information to Clinicians, Industry and Investors

SRI Seed Network January 2004 –Regional Meetings Early January –National Meeting 29 th January of State Representatives –Compilation of Expertise in Basic, Strategic and Clinical Research Extent of Use of Metals in Medicine and Areas of Potential Growth Areas of Deficiency in National Infrastructure –Development of Prototype Web-Based Information Services

SRI Seed Network February 2004 –Preparation of Documentation for EU Collaborations –Development of Plans for Training/Mentoring Programs For Young Researchers – Web-Enabled Report Submitted to ARC by February 9 th

The Network

Overview Scope Network Aims Member Benefits Overview of Network –Network Structure –Proposed Budget –Full Network Application –Current Position

Scope Development of Metal-Based Pharmaceuticals –Including Efficacy and Toxicology Testing Metals as Targets for Drug Development –Including Metabolic Processes Metallo-enzymes as Targets for Drug- Development –New Developments in Proteomics and Genomics Leading to New Metalloprotein Targets

Network Aims The aims of the network are to provide: –National and International Collaborations and Exchanges EU Cost NIH Programs Marie Curie –Development of Low-Cost Infrastructure for Pre-Clinical Efficacy and Toxicity Testing –Education Programs For Clinicians –Access to National and International Spectroscopic and Structural Facilities –Website for Dissemination of Information to Industry, Investors and Clinicians –Strengthened Interactions Between Fundamental Research and the Pharmaceutical Industry

Member Benefits The Network Aims to Provide to Its Members –National Testing Facilities (Efficacy and Toxicity) –Opportunities For Younger Researchers –Networking Basic Scientists Across Disciplines –National and International Exchange Programs –Annual Meetings on Metals in Medicine (Consecutively: Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane) –Applications to join EU networks and Marie Curie Fellowship –Examine Other Joint Grant Applications

Proposed Budget It is Proposed to Request Funding for The Following Budget Items –Part-time Administrator to Organise Meetings, Exchange Programs etc –Research Associates At Various Testing Facilities –Costs Associated with Joining The EU COST Program –An Exchange Program For Junior Members of Staff, Postdoctoral Workers and Graduate Students –Five Annual Meetings to be Held in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane in Successive Years. –Access to Major Facilities (travel and accommodation)

Network Structure University of Sydney Administrative Centre Regional Convenors in Each State –Prof. Lay NSW –Prof. Easton ACT –Prof. Lincoln SA –Prof. Berners-Price WA –Prof. Wedd VIC, Dr Spiccia (alternate and local Monash rep) –Prof. McEwan QLD, Prof. Fairlie (alternate and liaison person with the Australian Protease Network)

Network Structure Governing Council Comprises –Representatives From Industry, CSIRO/ANSTO and Clinical Centres –Regional Convenors International Advisory Panel –Prof. Peter Sadler (EU Programs) –Prof. Nicholas Farrell (USA) –Prof. Chris Orvig (Canada) –Prof. Bill Denny (NZ)

Current Position Over 90 Researchers Involved in Seed Network Draft Research Network Application Continuing to be Developed Proto-type Website Developed –Network Members Details Being Added As They Become Available Continuing to Collate Data on Members Expertise, Grants Held, etc.