Victorian Platform Technologies Network (VPTN)
The VPTN is a collaborative network of biomedical research facilities that provide state-of-the-art infrastructure and expertise to the biomedical, health and biotechnology research sector. It aims to maximise use of existing resources, minimise unnecessary duplication of services and coordinate planning for future requirements. There are 92 facilities in the VPTN, 59 of which are housed within the Bio21 Cluster node with 56 of those within Bio21 Cluster member organisations.
Infrastructure developments supported by the Bio21 Cluster are at the core of a broader Victorian Platform Technologies Network that has been initiated across the Bio21 Cluster member organisations. Facilities accessible to both academic and industry-based users include state of the art equipment and services in the fields of drug design and discovery; genomics; protein structural biology and proteomics; imaging and microscopy; flow cytometry; biochemistry, immunology and physiology services; rodent model analysis and phenotyping; informatics; clinical research and trials services; and tissue banks.
All of the facilities in the VPTN can be searched from the Victorian Bioportal, a gateway to information for anyone interested in biomedical research and biotechnology in Victoria. The Victorian Bioportal provides up to date news and a comprehensive overview and links relevant to the entire biomedical research and biotechnology sector. In addition, the VPTN website promotes and supports the activities of the VPTN and the facilities within it and the facility managers. It also provides a means for researchers to browse all of the core facilities and their scientific capabilities.
A primary objective of the VPTN is to increase awareness of the the scientific core facilities in Victoria and to support the development of platform technology facilities, and their managers, for the benefit of all researchers.
