The Company | Objectives | Management and Funding | Board |
Scientific Advisory Council | Company Structure

The Company

The Bio21 Cluster is a not-for-profit company of Members that facilitates cooperation and collaboration between the member organisations.
Members are committed to the advancement of:
> basic biomedical science
> translational clinical research and biotechnology
> training in research of the highest order
> science communication and education
> commercialisation of biotechnology discoveries.

Objectives

> To facilitate a synergistic cluster of universities, research institutions and hospitals that encourages interactive, collaborative research and the cross-fertilisation of technologies through sharing of expertise and access to the Bio21-supported facilities and projects

> To foster development of expertise and human resources to underpin translation of research into clinical practice and future innovation in the Australian biotechnology industry, thereby increasing the skills base and generating new jobs

> In co-operation with universities and others, to support education in both research and in the business of biotechnology, leading to a variety of biotechnology-related career options

> To create a financially viable biotechnology precinct and to facilitate the development and commercialisation of biotechnology research

> To promote community awareness and provide community education on new and emerging medical research and biotechnologies

Management and Funding

Bio21 Australia Ltd has a Funding Agreement with the State Government of Victoria that supports the Project through provision of STI (Science Technology Innovation) funds. Bio21 Australia Ltd does not “own” any of the facilities or individual projects; these are owned, managed and operated by one or more of the Bio21 Members. However, Bio21 Australia Ltd is charged with the responsibility for making recommendations to the State Government on projects to be supported from the STI funds; on ensuring proper management of the projects including access to facilities for Bio21 Members; and for monitoring and reporting on the outcomes from the projects.

Scientific Advisory Council

The Scientific Advisory Council, chaired by Professor Jock Findlay, advises the Board of Bio21 Australia Ltd on future scientific projects, directions and developments. A key role of the Scientific Advisory Council is to seek the development of collaborative research projects between the Members and to facilitate Member access to the special facilities funded from the State Government funds.

Under that agreement various initative various initiatives were supported:
> the construction of the Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute – the Bio21 Institute (University of Melbourne)
> the move of the Joint ProteomicS Facility to a new location within the Royal Melbourne Hospital (WEHI/Ludwig)

and STI funds to assist with:
> the purchase of a Bio21: 800MHz NMR
> establishment of the Bio21/WEHI High Throughput Chemical Screening Facility
> Phase 1 of the Bio21: Molecular Medicine Informatics Model
> establishment of the Bio21: Bioresources facility
> the Bio21: nl Protein Crystallisation Facility and the Bio21
> Cell Diagnosis and Therapy Facility.

More detail on all these projects can be found on the projects page.