World-class laser facility for Victoria
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27 November 2007
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Victoria is now a world leader in ultra-fast X-ray technology with the Centre of Excellence for Coherent X-Ray Science (CXS) officially opened today by Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings.
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The Victorian Government provided $1.8 million for the Femtosecond High Power Laser which develops very high resolution imaging methods as ‘proof-of-concept’ for further imaging work at the Australian Synchrotron.
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“The Centre for Excellence for Coherent X-Ray Science is a new laser imaging facility specifically designed to study the membrane protein structures used in drug development,” Mr Jennings said.
“Drug development is a major part of medical research, delivering better quality of life and pioneering new treatments.
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“This centre will significantly boost our ability in this area of medical innovation, further strengthening Victoria as a global leader in medical research and creating more high-skilled jobs for our future.”
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Mr Jennings said CXS brought together leading Australian researchers in the fields of X-ray physics, the design and use of synchrotron radiation sources, and the preparation, manipulation and characterisation of biological samples.
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The CXS will be led by Professor Keith Nugent from the University of Melbourne who was awarded the 2004 Victoria Prize for his pioneering work with imaging techniques.
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Key members of the new facility are CSIRO, the University of Melbourne, Latrobe, Monash and Swinburne Universities and the Australian Synchrotron.
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Mr Jennings said the Brumby Government’s support for the new facility indicated its strong support for medical research as a highly strategic sector for Victoria’s economic development.
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“The Brumby Government has invested in strategic plans, an improved economic and regulatory environment, attracting and rewarding researchers and infrastructure investment to support our biotechnology sector,” Mr Jennings said.
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“This investment is paying dividends as we continue to achieve global leadership in areas such as stem cells, diabetes, cervical cancer, flu and reproductive medicine and clinical trials.”
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| Mr Jennings said Australia has been ranked the world’s number one location for clinical trials by the Economist Intelligence Unit, ahead of the UK, US and Germany. |
