ARC Metals in Medicine Network Regional Meeting

1. ARC Metals in Medicine Network Regional Meeting Jan 2004

2. 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”

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. SRI Seed Network • January 2004 • Regional Meetings Early January • National Meeting 29th 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

13. 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 9th

14. The Network

15. Overview • Scope • Network Aims • Member Benefits • Overview of Network • Network Structure • Proposed Budget • Full Network Application • Current Position

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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)

20. 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)

21. 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)

22. 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.