‘Show us your genes’ – the secrets of biotechnology unravelled

They’re scouring the sea to find the next best therapeutic drugs, inventing new vaccines to ward off cancer, helping to repair damaged brains and alleviate nutritional deficiencies in East Africa.

They’re Queensland’s biotechnologists - and they’re stepping out of their laboratories for three weeks of free public events to show locals how Queensland discoveries are helping the world.

Minister for Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said: “If you’ve ever wondered what this biotechnology business is all about this is your chance to find out.

“The ‘show us your genes’ public events will show the public just how Queensland’s biotechnology sector is improving their health, the environment, agriculture and the economy.

“’Show us your genes’ is three weeks of events across Brisbane that are entertaining and informative.

“If you’ve ever wanted to know what our scientists are doing to help treat Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, find new ways to fight the flu, or how the latest technology is helping to create needleless patches for drug or vaccine delivery, this is your chance.

“We have extremely talented scientists and world-class research centres in this State and this a great opportunity for the public to get up close and personal with the discoveries and technologies that are changing our lives,” Ms Boyle said.

Ms Boyle said the public seminars, beginning on Monday, 15 October, would provide insights into the world of biotechnology. Guest speakers include Professor Ian Frazer with ‘God’s gift to women’, a presentation on the discovery that led to the world’s first cervical cancer vaccine and Queensland Museum scientists who’ll provide details on how the sea is being scoured for new drug development.

A special Biotech. blog site will be available from 19 to 26 October at www.blogonbiotech.net for people who want to know more about a subject. Biotechnology questions posted on the blog will be answered by the experts.

In addition, a fun animated story about how Queensland is playing a world-leading role in biotech discoveries and life-saving bio-drugs - ‘it’s in our genes’ – will be available to download from the Queensland Government’s biotechnology site www.biotech.qld.gov.au/showusyourgenes.

Ms Boyle said scientists were also being asked to have 10 conversations with people unfamiliar with the field to communicate the importance and relevance of biotechnology at a grass-roots level.

“The whole purpose of the public events series is to inspire community interest in biotechnology so families can understand the important role science plays in improving everyday life,” Ms Boyle said.

A full list of events are listed at www.biotech.qld.gov.au/showusyourgenes

Ends

Media contact: 3224 2004

15 October 2007

Events for AusBiotech

Tuesday 16 October 2007

Dusting off DNA: genetic resources hiding in the Museum collection

Discovering new species, tracking aquatic diseases, searching the oceans for new drugs. Find out how the Queensland Museum is using cutting-edge molecular techniques to unlock the secrets of its biological collections.

Speakers: Dr Jessica Worthington Wilmer, Dr Rob Adlard and Dr John Hooper

When: 12.30 pm Tuesday 16 October

Where: Queensland Museum South Bank theatre

Cost: free

RSVP: not required but seats are limited so come early

Dress: jeans, casual

Friday 19 October 2007

The flu and you: the coming epidemic?

This year's flu season was among the deadliest in recent memory—not only for humans, but for birds and horses too. Join influenza researcher Professor Mark von Itzstein to learn about the threat of epidemics. Prof von Itzstein is Executive Director of Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics, one of six institutes in the world using carbohydrates as weapons in the war on viruses.

Speaker: Professor Mark von Itzstein, Griffith University

When: 12.30 pm, Friday 19 October 2007

Where: QCA Theatre, Queensland College of Art, Grey Street, South Bank

Cost: free, including lunch

RSVP: phone 07 3735 7818 or email a.short@griffith.edu.au

Dress: jeans, casual

Wine, cheese and BANANAS

Bananas with increased levels of vitamin A and iron? Join Professor James Dale AO from the Queensland University of Technology for a taste of how this Gates-funded project will alleviate nutritional deficiencies in East Africa.

Speaker: Professor James Dale AO

When: 3.30 pm, Friday 19 October 2007

Where: Institute of Health Biomedical Innovation

seminar room, Q Block (Room Q430), QUT Kelvin Grove, parking and directions available

Cost: free, including wine and cheese and maybe bananas

RSVP: phone 07 3138 9062 or email linda.vanrensburg@qut.edu.au

Dress: jeans, casual

Tuesday 23 October 2007

Neurogenesis: a new way to treat brain disease

Neuroscientists are searching for a way to stimulate the production of new nerve cells in the brain. If they succeed, it will revolutionise the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions such as Huntington’s and Parkinson’s.

Speakers: Professor Perry Bartlett, Queensland Brain Institute and Professor Richard Faull, University of Auckland

When: 2.00 pm Tuesday 23 October 2007

Where: Queensland Brain Institute auditorium, Level 6, Building 79, Upland Road, St Lucia (near the buses). Parking is available in the multi-story car park on Sir Fred Schonell Drive.

Cost: free

RSVP: not required

Dress: jeans, casual

Thursday 25 October 2007

Ian Frazer—God’s gift to women

His discovery has led to the world’s first vaccine for cervical cancer—a cancer that kills 270,000 women each year. Join Professor Frazer as he discusses the path of his award-winning career, his latest research at the new Diamantina Institute, and the importance of biotechnology to Queensland’s future. This event is hosted by The Brisbane Institute.

Speaker: Professor Ian Frazer

When: 5.30 pm Thursday 25 October 2007

Where: Queensland Irish Club, 171 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane

Cost: $22 (general admission); $11 (concession); free for Brisbane Institute members and sponsors

RSVP: phone 07 3220 2198 or email rsvp@brisinst.org.au by 24 October 2007

Monday 29 October 2007

The journey of a new vaccine: from the lab to the pharmacy

How is a vaccine made? What testing is done before a new vaccine appears on the pharmacy shelf? Find out about the advancements in vaccines for melanoma.

Join Queensland Institute of Medical Research top vaccine scientists on a journey of vaccine discovery, from lab tests to filling the vaccine bottle.

Speakers: Dr Danielle Smyth, Dr Michelle Wykes, Dr Chris Schmidt and Melina Georgousakis (MC).

When: 6.30 pm Monday 29 October 2007

Where: Westpac Auditorium, QIMR Building, 300 Herston Rd, Herston (next to the Royal Children’s Hospital).

Cost: free, including refreshments after the event

RSVP: phone 07 3362 0430 or email mandie.quince@qimr.edu.au by 24 October 2007

Dress: jeans, casual

Wednesday 31 October 2007

Ecosciences Precinct—the science within

Come along to this fun after-school event where scientists present their work on climate change, water shortages and endangered native animals—just some of the exciting science moving to the new Ecosciences Precinct at Dutton Park.

See some ugly but very important fungi, find out how your wee could one day make bread and join in a hands-on genetics workshop for both kids and adults.

When: 3.15 pm – 5.00 pm Wednesday 31 October 2007

Where: Dutton Park State Primary School, 112 Annerley Road, Dutton Park

Cost: free

RSVP: not required

Dress: jeans, casual

Show us your genes is three weeks of events and activities surrounding the AusBiotech 2007 National Conference from 21-24 October in Brisbane. This is an initiative of the Queensland Government, through the Office of Biotechnology.