Published Wednesday, 18 June, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Queensland Government funding for treating tropical diseases
Premier Anna Bligh today announced Queensland Government funding of $650,000 towards a joint research project between the University of Queensland (UQ) and the University of Washington.
The funding, through the Innovation Projects Fund National and International Research Alliances Program, would support a project that will more accurately improve the diagnosis of two very common tropical diseases, malaria and dengue fever.
“The University of Washington is considered one of the finest research institutes in the world,” Ms Bligh said.
“UQ also has an outstanding international reputation and the two institutions already have a history of working well together.
“This Molecular Diagnostics Platform with Electronic Readout of Nanobarcodes project advances the alliance between these universities and helps cement the Memorandum of Understanding signed between our Government and Washington State in 2006.
“Most importantly though, being able to more accurately diagnose malaria and dengue fever in developing countries will reduce unnecessary treatment.
“The project, which has a total value of $1.8 million, also has the potential to protect countries like Australia and the USA from outbreaks of such diseases.”
Ms Bligh said the project would be led by Doctor Krassen Dimitrov at UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN).
The Innovation Projects Fund is part of the Queensland Government’s $300 million Smart State Innovation Funding program, which aims to build world-class research facilities, attract top-quality scientists to Queensland and stimulate cutting-edge research projects.
“The Queensland Government has invested more than $3 billion in innovation, science and research since 1998. I think this demonstrates our deep and ongoing commitment to maintaining Queensland’s reputation as the Smart State,” Ms Bligh said.
The recently released next stage of the Smart State Strategy builds on the significant work and investments already undertaken by the Government in funding research and development infrastructure throughout the State as well as the Government's substantial investments in education and training reform and developing the State's industry capabilities.
Premier Anna Bligh is in the United States to lead the Queensland biotechnology delegation to BIO 2008, the world’s largest biotechnology convention.
18 June 2008
Media contact: 3224 4500
Contact: Dr Krassen Dimitrov, AIBN, University of Queensland, 07 3346 3880
The funding, through the Innovation Projects Fund National and International Research Alliances Program, would support a project that will more accurately improve the diagnosis of two very common tropical diseases, malaria and dengue fever.
“The University of Washington is considered one of the finest research institutes in the world,” Ms Bligh said.
“UQ also has an outstanding international reputation and the two institutions already have a history of working well together.
“This Molecular Diagnostics Platform with Electronic Readout of Nanobarcodes project advances the alliance between these universities and helps cement the Memorandum of Understanding signed between our Government and Washington State in 2006.
“Most importantly though, being able to more accurately diagnose malaria and dengue fever in developing countries will reduce unnecessary treatment.
“The project, which has a total value of $1.8 million, also has the potential to protect countries like Australia and the USA from outbreaks of such diseases.”
Ms Bligh said the project would be led by Doctor Krassen Dimitrov at UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN).
The Innovation Projects Fund is part of the Queensland Government’s $300 million Smart State Innovation Funding program, which aims to build world-class research facilities, attract top-quality scientists to Queensland and stimulate cutting-edge research projects.
“The Queensland Government has invested more than $3 billion in innovation, science and research since 1998. I think this demonstrates our deep and ongoing commitment to maintaining Queensland’s reputation as the Smart State,” Ms Bligh said.
The recently released next stage of the Smart State Strategy builds on the significant work and investments already undertaken by the Government in funding research and development infrastructure throughout the State as well as the Government's substantial investments in education and training reform and developing the State's industry capabilities.
Premier Anna Bligh is in the United States to lead the Queensland biotechnology delegation to BIO 2008, the world’s largest biotechnology convention.
18 June 2008
Media contact: 3224 4500
Contact: Dr Krassen Dimitrov, AIBN, University of Queensland, 07 3346 3880