'Old but good' News
PMV public networking events ('Pub Meetings') and AGM in 2010
As before, four PMV Pub Meetings were enjoyed in 2010. The first of these was held in March at the Castle Hotel in Parkville, following a well-attended tour of the Metabolomics Australia facilities at the Bio21 Institute. The June meeting, hosted by Monash University, featured a talk about the Victorian Platform Technologies Network and a tour of the proteomics and monoclonal antibody facilities. In September, our hosts at St Vincent's provided an informative talk on the trials, tribulations and rewards of analysing post-translational modifications by mass spectrometry before leading us out to a nice watering hole in Fitzroy. Finally, our December meeting and AGM were hosted by the Discovery Technologies group at Department of Primary Industries Victoria. A record attendance enjoyed touring this fantastic facility, hearing about current research, and seeing progress with building of the new institute. At the AGM, plans for 2011 were advanced (training scheme, education initiative, future funding) and all current office bearers were re-elected. Congratulations to: Presidents of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Tony Purcell and Ute Roessner; Secretary, Sri Ramarathinam; Treasurer, Mike Hubbard; Trade Representative, Julie Holliday; Industry Representative, Pierre Scotnov; Student Representative, Charles Reilly, and Media Liason, Ian Smith. Peter Meikle also kindly agreed to continue acting as coordinator of our pub meetings. For a copy of the minutes or further information, please contact Sri Ramarathinam (srihr@unimelb.edu.au).
Recombinant Proteins Facility Opens in Victoria
Located at Monash University, this $11.2M Recombinant Protein Feeder Facility is available to Australian scientists who use recombinant proteins for drug discovery and pre-clinical research. See Media Releases One and Two.
PMV scientist develops test to predict heart attacks
Metabolomics in health practice! Hear Peter Meikle (Baker IDI Institute) speak to Channel 10 news about the life-saving test he has developed to predict heart attacks (video).
PMV Public Education and Outreach Initiative, 2009
As its inaugural public education event, PMV spearheaded a free public lecture and panel discussion that both honoured the bicentenary of Charles Darwin and highlighted the broad utility of our research technologies, including for studies into The Origin of Life. The event was a great success, drawing 365 registrants that included over 100 secondary school teachers and students. We are grateful to our members (Agilent, BioRad, Invitrogen) for hosting "public friendly" trade displays before and after the lecture, and to other PMV members for their help. Importantly, PMV has established useful links with people involved in secondary science curriculum development and teacher training as a result of this event. Our offer to help with student education (visits/work experience with labs and trade) also received praise from teachers present. Responding to media interest, the event was filmed and is likely to be televised shortly – details to follow. For further information please contact Sri Ramarathinam (srihr@unimelb.edu.au).
PMV public networking events ('Pub Meetings') and AGM in 2009
Four PMV Pub Meetings were held in 2009. The first, held at the Redback Hotel in Parkville, was hosted by PMV Presidents Tony Purcell and Ute Roessner with assistance from our Project Officer, Sri. The guest speaker, Dr Phil Marley from the Victorian Government, discussed forthcoming biotech initiatives of potential interest to PMV members and also praised PMV for its accomplishments to date. The second, hosted by Tony, Ute and Sri at the spectacular James Squire Brewhouse, Docklands, was well attended by a variety of people from trade, industry, academia and government. The growing attendance by students was particularly pleasing. Our guest speaker, Dr Ute Roessner, discussed the "what, why and how" of services available at Metabolomics Australia. Our third meeting, at a nice watering hole near the Caulfield racetrack, was hosted by David Steer and colleagues from Monash. The meeting was preceeded by a mass spectrometry seminar, courtesy of Waters Australia. The 4th meeting (combined with AGM) was hosted by Peter Meikle and colleagues from the Baker Institute. This "combo meeting" (incorporating Working Party meeting) was well attended by PMV members from trade, industry and academia. Discussion at this the second Annual General Meeting of PMV covered progress made in 2009 (particularly website, promotion, public outreach) and plans for 2010 (particularly new initiatives in secondary science education and workforce development). Congratulations to the duly elected office bearers for 2010: Presidents of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Tony Purcell and Ute Roessner; Secretary/Project officer, Sri Ramarathinam; Treasurer, Mike Hubbard; Trade Representative, Julie Holliday; Industry Representative, Pierre Scotnov; Student Representative, Charles Reilly, and Media Liason, Ian Smith. For a copy of the minutes or further information, please contact Sri Ramarathinam (srihr@unimelb.edu.au). After the AGM, attendees toured the impressive "-omics" facilities at Baker IDI (spanning proteomics, metabolomics and genomics). Adjourning to a nearby pub, the tour was complemented by several short talks about associated research projects and plans.
First Annual General Meeting of PMV
This was held on 2nd December at the University of Melbourne together with a PMV Working Party meeting, and attended by 27 members. Discussions covered the PMV website, membership, future meetings, organisational structure, and interactions with the trade. Congratulations (and courage?) to the duly elected office bearers for 2009: Presidents of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Tony Purcell and Ute Roessner; Secretary/Project officer, Sri Ramarathinam; Treasurer, Mike Hubbard; Media Liason, Ian Smith; and Trade Representative, Melissa Vespa (since replaced by Julie Holliday). For a copy of the minutes or further information, please contact Sri Ramarathinam (srihr@unimelb.edu.au)
PMV launch function
This was held as part of the official launch of Metabolomics Australia (University of Melbourne node) by the Victorian Minister for Innovation on November 5th, 2008. Thanks to PMV members for a great turnout and to MA staff for accommodating us so well. See Media Releases One, Two and Three.