continuous discovery
SVI Newsletter September 2007
IN THIS ISSUE:
SVI TEAMS UP WITH
AFL CLUB TO RAISE
FUNDS
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Jan Morlacci of major event sponsor,
Campbellfield Concrete.
Dancing with the Stars judge, Mark Wilson interviewing
player, Marty Pask and his dance partner.
Two of the judges, Margaret Lonsdale,
CEO, Australian Dancing Society and
Brad Johnson, Bulldogs Captain.
SVI teams up with AFL club
to raise funds
Bulldogs player, Farren Ray and
his professional dance partner,
Jessica Perrino, winners of the
Dynamic Dogs Trophy.
St Vincent’s Institute and the Western Bulldogs
Football Club teamed up for a very special
night of dinner and dancing on 4 August to
raise money for medical research at SVI and
the Forever Foundation which supports redevelopment and sport initiatives in the west
of Melbourne.
The highlight of the night was a series of display
dances by nine Bulldogs trained by Dancing with the
Stars judge, Mark Wilson and their professional dance
partners. The leading AFL players hung up their boots for
the night and with just four hours training put on some
dazzling performances of the Cha Cha Cha, Tango, Samba,
Merengue and Jive in the Dynamic Dogs competition.
The judges, including Bulldogs’ Captain, Brad Johnson and
Margaret Lonsdale, CEO of the Australian Dancing Society,
were impressed by the players who were swinging dancers
high in the air, over their heads and upside down but the
clear winner of the Top Dog Trophy was Farren Ray.
Mark Wilson said: “It was great to see the stars of the
AFL embrace the idea of dancing in public and after some
hesitance really get into it. There were some wonderful
performances with great courage and timing, as well as
some hilarious moments.”
Members of the public had the opportunity to bid online
to dance with a player at the event. Twenty one members
of the Bulldogs playing group danced
with the auction
winners. One of the
dancers was Dr Kate
Graham, a diabetes
researcher at SVI.
She said: “It was a
great opportunity to
meet and dance with
the AFL elite and witness
some spectacular and not so
spectacular dancing on display!”
Nearly 500 people attended the event held at Moonee
Valley Racing Club, with Master of Ceremonies
Barry Plant. Many were touched during the speech
given by major sponsor of the event, Jan Morlacci
of Campbellfield Concrete. Jan described how her
loved ones have been affected by cancer and called
on those present to support SVI’s research.
As a member of the Western Bulldogs’ Board and
Chair of the SVI Foundation, Dr Susan Alberti
AO HonLLD was delighted to bring together her
two passions of football and medical research in
such a fun event. Susan thanked the supporting
sponsors: GoldAge, Kay & Burton, Portsea Hotel,
Salta Properties and Zagame’s.
SVI SOLVES
FIRST PROTEIN
STRUCTURE ON
AUSTRALIAN
SYNCHROTRON
AFL PLAYERS
TOUR SVI
NEW IMAGING
MACHINE FOR SVI
TOP MELBOURNE
CHEFS RAISE
FUNDS FOR
RESEARCH
YEAR 10 STUDENTS
TOUR SVI
RESEARCH IN
FOCUS: DIABETES
UPCOMING EVENTS
SVI $10,000
DISCOVERY FUND
DIRECTORS’ DINNERS
SVI 1000 CLUB LUNCH
GIVING IN
CELEBRATION
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
THANKS TO ALL WHO
CONTRIBUTED TO
DANCING WITH THE
DOGS
Event photos by: Maree Dinger Photography and Happy Medium
Proudly sponsoring the SVI September Newsletter
much closer together with clinical medicine – to decrease the gap
between discovery and application of new knowledge to diseases.
The two way communication between laboratory researchers and
clinicians is vital to ensure the opportunities in new discoveries
are grasped and made as relevant as possible. Researchers can
also benefit from hearing and understanding the problems that
clinicians face so they can direct their research appropriately.
Bridging the gap between medicine and research has never been
more important.
Director’s Report
SVI is a laboratory-based research institute
that aims to improve the treatment and
prevention of common diseases. It is
impossible to overstate the importance
of collaboration and clinical links for
our research programs at SVI. The most
important of these links are with our
close neighbours on the St. Vincent’s
campus and other nearby centres.
Professor Tom Kay
A good example of local collaboration is in diabetes – our
research at SVI (highlighted in this issue) ties in very well with
research and clinical work both at St Vincent’s Health and also
the Eye and Ear Hospital. There is more diabetes research in our
immediate neighbourhood than anywhere else in Australia. An
example of collaboration further afield is also highlighted with
SVI’s involvement in the opening of the Australian Synchrotron.
Planning has begun for a new initiative on the St. Vincent’s campus
that would dramatically advance both collaboration and clinical
linkage amongst researchers on the campus through future colocation. The benefits of this would be to bring laboratory research
The new research precinct will offer great advantages in a critical
mass of researchers working together, able to share major items
of equipment, and able to share infrastructure and administration
costs. The benefits of co-location will include more opportunities
to share data and ideas and greater attractiveness to students
and junior scientists wanting to work in a major centre. Attracting
scientists from Australia, the region and the rest of the world is
key to future success as is building international links. SVI looks
forward to being a major part of the precinct development and I
look forward to keeping you fully informed about its progress.
Tom Kay
An internal view of the
new Australian synchrotron
at Clayton.
Guido Hansen from SVI’s X-ray
Crystallography Unit was one of the
SVI solves one of the first protein
first scientists to use the new
structures on the new Australian Synchrotron synchrotron in July.
SVI’s X-ray Crystallography researchers were one of the first
Australian groups to use the new Australian synchrotron when
it opened in July this year and subsequently one of the first to
solve a protein structure using the facility. The synchrotron is a
large machine (about the size of a football field) that accelerates
electrons to almost the speed of light. As the electrons are
deflected through magnetic fields they create extremely bright
light. The light is channelled down beamlines to experimental
workstations where it is used for research.
When used to determine the structure of a protein involved in
disease, the light is focused on a crystal of the protein and the rays
that bounce back are captured and translated into a scattering
pattern which shows the protein’s atomic structure. SVI houses
St Vincent’s
Institute
a small version of the synchrotron, the ACRF Rational Drug
Discovery Facility which is used to conduct preliminary studies
on crystals. However, until July this year researchers had to travel
overseas to use high grade synchrotron light.
Researcher, Guido Hansen said: “Travelling overseas to access a
synchrotron in, for example, Chicago takes months of preparation.
Very sensitive protein crystals have to be transported by plane and
could be easily damaged. Additionally, precious research time is lost
when three scientists have to travel overseas for synchrotron time,
usually for a week, three to four times a year. Having a synchrotron
in Melbourne will speed up the process of solving a protein
structure significantly and will have a huge impact on how research
is carried out in Australia.”
SVI conducts medical research into the cause, prevention and treatment of diseases with
high impact on the community such as:
• Diabetes type 1 and 2 • Obesity and heart disease • Bone diseases such as arthritis and
osteoporosis • Cancer and the spread of cancer • Infectious diseases such as Hepatitis and
AIDS • Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders
SVI is a world leader in protein chemistry research, particularly crystallography which is used
to identify new therapies for these diseases.
AFL players tour SVI
SVI researchers met twenty of the Western Bulldogs’ playing
group when they showed them round the laboratories on 12 July.
The players discovered how much research is being undertaken
into diseases which affect everyone in the community such as
arthritis, diabetes, obesity and cancer.
Bruce Kemp explained the Protein Chemistry and Metabolism
Group’s research into AMPK, an enzyme that mimics the effects of
exercise, which could have an impact on obesity treatment in the
future. Natalie Sims and Jonathan Gooi showed how the Bone, Joint
and Cancer Group are seeking ways to prevent bone loss or assist
bone building in arthritis, osteoporosis and cancer spread to bone.
Lorien Parker gave the Bulldog players an insight into her X-ray
crystallography and drug discovery work on a protein involved in
cancer. Kate Graham and Bulldogs fan, Mark McKenzie from the
Immunology and Diabetes Group explained the ongoing work to
find ways to combat type 1 diabetes.
Photo courtesy of Herald-Sun
Dr Kate Graham with (l-r) Bulldogs’ Senior coach, Rodney Eade and players,
Chris Grant, Brad Johnson, Luke Darcy, Jason Akermanis and Adam Cooney.
Mark said: “It was fantastic to meet the people I have watched and
supported for many years. It was great to be given the opportunity
to let them know what we are doing in the lab, how we conduct
our research and what we are ultimately trying to achieve. I was
very impressed with the quality of their questions and the interest
they showed.”
New imaging machine for SVI
Top Melbourne chefs raise funds for research
In May, the Institute installed
an IVIS Spectrum Imaging
Unit, the first of its kind
in Australia. This powerful
piece of equipment allows
researchers to observe
cells
non-invasively
in
animals making it a very
useful tool for our work
on bone biology, metabolic
research, diabetes and
transplantation.
For the second year running top chef,
Raymond Capaldi of Fenix coordinated
two amazing Chef ’s Packages which were
auctioned at Dancing with the Dogs, raising
vital funds at the event. Several bidders vied
for the two packages and the winners will be
dining in the best restaurants in town over the
next few months.
Generous
contributions
from the following Trusts
and Foundations have made
this purchase possible:
Christine Tarascio, Chair of the SVI Foundation
Events Committee said: “We are so grateful to
Ray and all the chefs who donated tables for
ten or five at their restaurant. The packages
make great auction prizes.”
The new imaging unit installed for the use
of St Vincent’s Campus researchers.
Ramciotti
Foundation
Janina and Bill Amiet
Foundation
Marian and EH Flack
Trust
Harold and Cora Brennen
Benevolent Trust
We would like to thank:
Package 1
Raymond Capaldi of Fenix
Teague Ezard of Adelphi
Martin Boetz of Longrain
Matteo Pignatelli of Matteo’s
Jaques Reymond of Jaques
Reymond
Phillipe Mouchel of the brasserie
by Phillipe Mouchel
Raymond Capaldi of
Fenix Restaurant
Package 2
George Colombaris of
The Press Club
Greg Malouf of Mo Mo
Ricardo Momesso of Sarti
Guy Grossi of Grossi Florentino
Shannon Bennett of
Vue de Monde
Scott Pickett of The Point
Year 10 Students tour SVI
Students from Xavier College and Genazzano FCJ College found out
about life as a scientist on their SVI tour on 21 August. The students were
welcomed to SVI by Emeritus Professor Jack Martin and then separated
into groups to find out about the research programs in more detail.
The four groups learnt about research into arthritis from Natalie Sims and
Jonathan Gooi; diabetes from Kate Graham and Pete Campbell; cancer
and bone metastasis from Steve Bouralexis and Vanessa Cheng; and
X-ray Crystallography and protein structure from Lorien Parker and
David Ascher.
While interested in aspects of the disease process, students were also
keen to hear how the scientists organised their day, how long experiments
take and descriptions of the equipment and techniques used in the
laboratories.
Students from Xavier and Genazzano with researcher, Pete Campbell.
One of the students said: “I was surprised and impressed at just how much
the different sciences are integrated in the fascinating research we saw. I
had no idea how a scientist spends their day when researching a problem
and the two I met really opened my eyes to the reality of their work.”
Research in Fo
TYPE 1 DIABETES
Type 1 diabetes affects 1 in every 200 Australians and its incidence
is increasing. It is a major chronic disease of childhood and also
accounts for approximately 10% of adult-onset diabetes cases.
It imposes a great personal toll on affected individuals and their
families, as well as significant economic cost.
Di
People with type 1 diabetes lack insulin, the hormone that regulates
the body’s use of glucose. Insulin is produced by cells in the
pancreas called beta cells, which are contained within small clumps
of cells called islets. In type 1 diabetes, the beta cells are attacked
and destroyed by the normally protective immune system.
Insulin needs to be replaced through the lifelong burden of several
daily injections to maintain glucose levels. Despite strict monitoring
and attempts at control, people with this type of diabetes still face
the prospect of diminished health and dying 15 years earlier than
the general population.
Professor Tom Kay (back left) and the Immunology and Diabetes Group
Translation of this basic laboratory research into clinical outcomes
for patients has already begun by using human islets for laboratory
study and establishing a human islet transplant program on
campus.
Research into the treatment of type 1 diabetes
Transplantation of insulin-producing islet cells is a promising
treatment for individuals with severe and unstable type 1 diabetes.
The Tom Mandel Islet Transplant Program has been established
on the St. Vincent’s Campus to bring this treatment to patients
in Victoria.
Islet cells in the pancreas
SVI research into the cause of type 1 diabetes
Researchers in SVI’s Immunology and Diabetes Unit are international
leaders in mapping the pathways that lead to beta cell destruction.
They are working on a complete understanding of:
•
How beta cells are killed by studying the mechanisms by which
“killer” cells of the immune system destroy beta cells and ways
of protecting beta cells against this damage
•
How beta cells could be protected from dying through study
of proteins within the beta cell that either promote or reduce
cell death
•
How diabetes starts by understanding whether diabetes begins
when the immune response recognises one particular protein
(e.g. insulin) or many proteins at once.
Islet Transplantation Program
work in progress
cus:
abetes
TYPE 2 DIABETES
Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which the body loses its responsiveness
to insulin’s control of blood glucose levels. In the majority of cases, it
is caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and sedentary
lifestyles. Obesity is the number one risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is common in people aged over 45 years, but is
increasingly seen in younger age groups and even children. For
this reason, obesity and diabetes are poised to become Australia’s
most significant and costly health problems within a decade.
While regular exercise and healthy eating are effective at preventing
weight gain they are rarely sufficient for treating overweight or
obese patients and repeatedly fail. Overcoming obesity and type
2 diabetes is difficult for patients because the natural control
mechanisms that maintain the body’s energy balance are impaired.
For these patients, new aids to treatment need to be developed
such as anti-obesity medications.
Research into the control of obesity and
prevention of type 2 diabetes
At SVI, researchers in Protein Chemistry and Metabolism are
studying the action of an enzyme called AMPK which acts as the
body’s fuel gauge by activating the burning of fats
and sugars when cells need energy. Anything that
activates AMPK will mimic many of the metabolic
effects of exercise.
Professor Bruce Kemp (left) and the
Protein Chemistry and Metabolism Group
important that we understand the kinase better, both in order
to develop smarter drugs and to understand any possible side
effects.
The areas of research are:
•
Examining how AMPK acts in single cells and the body as a
whole
•
Physiological studies of skeletal and heart muscle as well as
liver and fat tissue to see how AMPK acts with the use of antidiabetic drugs; during exercise; with electric stimulation; and
with low oxygen levels
•
Establishing a structural model of AMPK to assist with the
development of drugs which could regulate its activity in
collaboration with SVI’s X-ray Crystallography unit
•
Clarifying how AMPK is involved with appetite regulation
•
Understanding the health benefits of diet and exercise at the
molecular level.
Its potential to form the basis of a treatment for
obesity and type 2 diabetes has led to AMPK
becoming the focus of intense interest in the
pharmaceutical industry. The concept of ‘exercise
in a pill’ is based on the idea that if you can activate
AMPK this would theoretically result in many of
the beneficial physiological effects of exercise
without the actual stimulus itself.
We know that the role of AMPK is complex and
far-reaching, affecting functions in the heart, brain,
muscle, pancreas, liver and fat, and the diversity of
our studies into the kinase reflects this. However,
as AMPK plays many diverse roles in the body,
some of which are yet to be identified, it is
Matt Watt with Francine Ke, Sarah Turpin and Seamus Crowe of the Protein Chemistry
and Metabolism Group
SVI $10,000 Discovery Fund
Upcoming Events
Spring Carnival Champagne
Luncheon
SVI Research Support Group
Sunday 21st October 2007
12 noon until 4pm
Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club
Tickets: $120
For more information:
Email:
[email protected] or
[email protected] or call
Maureen Breheny on 9859 1401
The SVI $10,000 Discovery Fund was launched at an exclusive dinner kindly hosted by
Dr Susan Alberti AO HonLLD on 16 August.
This initiative aims to support future research at SVI by creating a fund which will be
invested in Australian equities with interest income diverted to support research at the
optimum time while the capital remains intact.
A $5 million fund will be built with donors pledging to donate a fully tax-deductible $10,000
annually for five years. Supporters of the Discovery Fund will be acknowledged through
exposure in SVI newsletters, annual reports and the SVI honour board. There will also be
the opportunity for members to meet at exclusive events.
At the event, Foundation Board member, Christine Tarascio was delighted to welcome new
members who pledged donations to the Discovery Fund thereby supporting scientists in their
search for solutions into the debilitating diseases affecting everyone in our community.
If you would like more information about the $10,000 Discovery Fund, contact Christine
Tarascio on 0418 318 627.
Director’s Dinners
Mark Scott, Managing Director,
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Crown Towers was the venue for SVI’s third 2007 Director’s
Dinner on 31 July, where ABC Managing Director, Mark
Scott, gave an illuminating talk on the subject of media in
the digital age.
The Kooyong Room with views
over the tennis courts
Director’s Dinners
Bruce Guthrie
Editor-in-Chief, Herald Sun
‘Newspapers at the Crossroads’
Tuesday 23 October 2007
7pm, Crown Towers
For more information,
email: [email protected] or
call 9288 2480
Mr Scott compared the media experience of today’s
parents and grandparents, who listen, watch or read, with
that of the younger generation who interact with and
participate in the media they use, primarily on the internet.
To illustrate this he described the proliferation of internet
sites MySpace and Facebook, where users have their own
profiles, upload their own videos and interact with friends
developed online.
Mark Scott MD, ABC
As it celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, Mr Scott said the ABC is looking forward to its
100th birthday and beyond, where the ABC can continue to produce content on traditional
mediums while embracing the opportunities that digital technology provides. The ABC plans to
develop television, radio and internet services that will enable audiences to watch, listen or take
part in broadcasts, when and where they choose, while continuing to maintain a diversity of
programming.
David Parkin
Sport Coaching Lecturer,
Deakin University
Former VFL/AFL player and coach
‘Successful Business and Sporting Teams’
Thursday 29 November 2007
7pm, Crown Towers
For more information,
email: [email protected] or
call 9288 2480
2008
SVI will be celebrating 50 years of medical
research in 2008. Watch this space for news
of the events planned for the year.
SVI 1000 Club Lunch
Ross Stevenson, 3AW’s breakfast host, was the guest
speaker at the SVI 1000 Club Lunch on 5 July, sponsored
by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. Nearly 100
people attended the event at Crown Towers to hear
Mr Stevenson give an entertaining talk on his history in
law and the media.
The event raised $10,000 for research at SVI due in
part to the raffle of two bottles of Penfold Grange,
kindly donated by Dr Susan Alberti AO HonLLD which
were donated back to SVI for use in an impromptu auction.
Ross Stevenson – 3AW
Event MC and 1000 Club President, Benni Aroni said, “The passion and spirit in the
room which manifested itself in the re-donation of the Grange was an indication
of the goodwill the guests showed towards SVI. A good time was had by all who
attended”.
Giving in
Celebration
The winter months were a busy time for parties among SVI supporters with many asking guests
to donate to SVI in lieu of gifts. This is a wonderful way, not only to support vital research into
diseases affecting everyone in our community but also to introduce friends and
family to the work of SVI.
We are very grateful for the generous donations from guests invited to
celebrate:
Susan Alberti’s Birthday
David Smorgon’s Birthday
Peter Morlacci’s Birthday
Judy Dodge’s Birthday
Guy Fanning’s Birthday
Alison Davies and Steve Chapman’s Wedding
Foundation Board member, Connie McKeage and her husband asked
guests to donate to SVI for their wedding in 2006. She said: “Our wedding
day was really a day focused on celebrating life. At the same time we could
not help but remember those who would have loved to participate in the
festivities but had passed away. One of those was Michael’s mother Peggy
who died a few months earlier of bone cancer. Asking for donations in lieu of
gifts was, from our perspective, the best way of remembering those we loved
on such a happy occasion. Giving to the institute was our way of contributing
to hope for those suffering diseases that supported scientists may be able to
eradicate in future.”
Roslyn a
nd David
Smorgon
Cole and
Michael Keage
c
M
Connie
Peter M
o
rlacci
How you
can help . . .
• Give a donation using the
reply slip
• Donate in celebration
asking guests to your wedding
or birthday to donate to SVI
in lieu of a gift
• Join the SVI 1000 Club
and enjoy the benefits of
membership
• Build a corporate
partnership and enable your
company to meet its corporate
social responsibility objectives
• Sponsor an event or
publication and align your
brand with medical research
• Join the $10,000 Discovery
Fund to support future medical
research
• Nominate SVI as the
beneficiary of your company or
association’s conference or awards
ceremony
• Give to SVI through
Workplace Giving
• Make a bequest to SVI – a gift to
the next generation
• Donate in memoriam if your loved
one was affected by the devastating
diseases researched at SVI
Donor Spotlight
We would like to thank the five companies who have sponsored our events annually for four years and gratefully acknowledge their
commitment to SVI and medical research. This quote from Toni and Vic Zagame sums up for many of our donors why they support SVI.
Ross and Kaylene Savas of
Kay & Burton
“We support St Vincent’s Institute because our family, like so
many others, has been personally touched by disease. SVI were so
understanding of our own personal situation and gave us advice and
encouragement when we felt so desperate and frustrated.
The importance of medical research cannot be stressed enough; everyone
in the community will at some time be touched by a disease of some
sort. We encourage the whole community to give their support to
SVI for their continued research programs.”
Toni and Vic Zagame of
Zagame’s
Colin North and Susan Alberti of
GoldAge Aged Care
Sam and Christine Tarascio of
Salta Properties
Andrew and Lynn Henderson of
the Portsea Hotel
We would like to thank all those who contributed to DANCING WITH THE DOGS
Prize donors:
Major Sponsor:
• Raymond Capaldi of Fenix who organised the two Chef ’s Packages and
the donating chefs: Teague Ezard, Matteo Pignatelli, Jacques Reymond,
Phillipe Mouchel, Martin Boetz, George Colombaris, Greg Malouf,
Riccardo Momesso, Scott Pickett, Guy Grossi and Shannon Bennett
• The Susan Alberti Charitable Trust, Kimberley Accommodation and
Matso’s who donated the Broome Holiday Package
Supporting Sponsors:
• Martin Ralston in conjunction with the Moonee Valley Racing Club who
donated two Cox Plate Packages
• Western Bulldogs Football Club who donated a day in the Statistics Box
Dynamic Dog sponsors:
Barry Plant Real Estate, Dansu, Deer Park Metals, GoldAge, Major
Engineering, Trucare and Wooling Hill.
In kind sponsors:
• Dance training: J.A.M.M. Dance Studios
• Media partners: Leader Newspapers and 3AW
• Wine sponsors: Casella Wines
• Event Management: EMG
• Master of Ceremonies: Barry Plant
• Design by: Blick Design
• Printing: GRV Printers
• Corporate hosts: Image Australia.
Postal:
Located:
Telephone:
Facsimile:
Email:
Web:
• Dr Susan Alberti AO HonLLD who donated a table at the Footy Show
• Werribee Nissan who donated a car hire package
• Bulldogs Travel who donated the New Zealand holiday package raffle
prize and the Dynamic Dogs prize
Dancers:
Our thanks to the professional dancers from J.A.M.M. Dance Studios and
members of the Bulldogs playing group who supported the event:
Players: Andrew McDougall, Adam Cooney, Brad Johnson, Brian Harris,
Chris Grant, Dale Morris, Daniel Giansiracusa, Farren Ray, Luke Darcy, Jason
Akermanis, Jordan McMahon, Marty Pask, Matthew Boyd, Matthew Robins,
Robert Murphy, Ryan Hargrave, Shaun Higgins, Tom Williams and Will
Minson. Coaches: Leon Cameron, Chris Bond and Rodney Eade.
41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065
9 Princes Street, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065
+ 61 3 9288 2480
+ 61 3 9416 2676
[email protected]
www.svi.edu.au
Affiliated with St Vincent’s Health
and the University of Melbourne
Continuing the Mission of the
Sisters of Charity
Proudly sponsoring the SVI September Newsletter