Published Friday, 20 June, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Funding boost to continue research for Cancer cure
The fight against leukaemia, cancer, diabetes and other diseases has received a boost with the announcement of Queensland Government funding to support critical medical research.
Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said the Mater Medical Research Institute (MMRI) and the Wesley Research Institute (WRI) would share in a pool of $2.19 million over three years.
“This funding is specifically for the running costs of the two facilities – there are some government initiatives that provide funding for specific research, but this is strictly to help meet overhead costs,” Ms Boyle said.
“Research institutes can apply annually for funding to support general operational costs of research not covered by other research grants.”
She said the research being undertaken at the two research facilities added to Queensland’s reputation as a leader in health and medical research.
“Scientists at the MMRI and WRI work alongside doctors at the hospitals to turn their scientific discoveries into better treatment for patients,” Ms Boyle said.
“The type of research being undertaken by the Institutes’ scientists is nothing short of amazing, and on behalf of all Queenslanders I thank them for their dedication to the job.”
Ms Boyle said the WRI focused on research to identify faster and more accurate diagnosis, better treatment, fewer side effects and improving patients’ quality of life once they’re back home.
“For example, currently scientists are looking at developing ways to treat an aggressive type of bone cancer that predominantly affects teenagers – tragically, 30 per cent of patients don’t survive this illness,” Ms Boyle said.
The MMRI, based at the Mater Hospital, focuses on developing ways to make the body smarter and more effective in preventing or curing cancer and other disease, Ms Boyle said.
“It gives me great pleasure to be able to say that MMRI scientists are currently on the verge of a ground-breaking medical advancement that would give patients a better chance of survival and faster recovery,” Ms Boyle said.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Minister’s Office: Marcus Taylor (3225 1005 / 0419 025 326) or Kirstie Maier (3224 2007 / 0448 135 195)
Contact for the Mater Medical Research Institute: Topaz Conway (3316 3888)
Contact for the Wesley Research Institute: Colleen McMillan (3232 6289)
Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said the Mater Medical Research Institute (MMRI) and the Wesley Research Institute (WRI) would share in a pool of $2.19 million over three years.
“This funding is specifically for the running costs of the two facilities – there are some government initiatives that provide funding for specific research, but this is strictly to help meet overhead costs,” Ms Boyle said.
“Research institutes can apply annually for funding to support general operational costs of research not covered by other research grants.”
She said the research being undertaken at the two research facilities added to Queensland’s reputation as a leader in health and medical research.
“Scientists at the MMRI and WRI work alongside doctors at the hospitals to turn their scientific discoveries into better treatment for patients,” Ms Boyle said.
“The type of research being undertaken by the Institutes’ scientists is nothing short of amazing, and on behalf of all Queenslanders I thank them for their dedication to the job.”
Ms Boyle said the WRI focused on research to identify faster and more accurate diagnosis, better treatment, fewer side effects and improving patients’ quality of life once they’re back home.
“For example, currently scientists are looking at developing ways to treat an aggressive type of bone cancer that predominantly affects teenagers – tragically, 30 per cent of patients don’t survive this illness,” Ms Boyle said.
The MMRI, based at the Mater Hospital, focuses on developing ways to make the body smarter and more effective in preventing or curing cancer and other disease, Ms Boyle said.
“It gives me great pleasure to be able to say that MMRI scientists are currently on the verge of a ground-breaking medical advancement that would give patients a better chance of survival and faster recovery,” Ms Boyle said.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Minister’s Office: Marcus Taylor (3225 1005 / 0419 025 326) or Kirstie Maier (3224 2007 / 0448 135 195)
Contact for the Mater Medical Research Institute: Topaz Conway (3316 3888)
Contact for the Wesley Research Institute: Colleen McMillan (3232 6289)