Hearts and minds come together in international partnership

Published Sunday, 28 February, 2016 at 01:00 PM

Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services
The Honourable Cameron Dick

Queensland’s global reputation for ground-breaking medical research will be boosted thanks to a new research collaboration between Brisbane and Taiwan.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick today kick started the partnership with an investment of $250,000 to support life-saving research into heart and lung conditions. 

The research partnership is between Brisbane’s Critical Care Research Group (CCRG) based at The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH) and the Centre for Translational Research in Biomedical Sciences in Taiwan.

“As one of the largest cardiac centres in the country, The Prince Charles Hospital is ideally positioned to invest and lead innovation in this area,” Mr Dick said.

“Right here at The Prince Charles Hospital, we already have research under way that is focussing on developing new bionic hearts and lungs.

“This partnership is the ideal foundation for the exchange of knowledge and expertise between leading Brisbane and Taiwanese researchers.

“Queensland has some of the world’s best and brightest medical researchers and this partnership has the potential to improve the health outcomes of not just Australians, but people worldwide,” Mr Dick said.

Professor Samuel Chan, Chairman of the Research and Development Board of the Chang Gung Medical Foundation said this partnership provides a very exciting opportunity for developing some of the most revolutionary cardiothoracic research across the world.

“We are pleased to match the Queensland Government’s investment and commit $250,000 to this positive collaboration,” Professor Chan said.

Professor John Fraser, Director of the Critical Care Research Group said this collaboration will enable the sharing of skills and integrate both the biological and engineering aspects of treatment in advanced heart and lung disease.

“Importantly, Queensland patients will be the first to receive the most innovative treatment that medicine can provide,” said Professor Fraser.

Cardiovascular disease is the biggest killer in Australia and this partnership represents new beginnings in cardiothoracic research for Queensland.

ENDS

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