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Lotterywest supports Murdoch University Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases
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Director Professor Simon Mallal from Murdoch |
Murdoch University recently received a $5 million Lotterywest grant to establish the Institute for Immunology and Infectious Diseases (IIID). The grant will enable the University to provide the best possible resources to tackle the world’s most significant health issues and keep Western Australia at the global cutting edge in infectious disease response and research.
The Lotterywest grant will help WA retain its pre-eminent position in HIV AIDS and Hepatitis C research and allow diversification into other infectious disease threats such as malaria and SARS. HIV infection in Australia is rising at the rate of 1,000 new infections per year. The challenge of fighting infectious disease such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis and SARS is becoming increasingly complex in a time when the potential for disease transmission is at an unprecedented high.
IIID Director Professor Simon Mallal and his team of immunology and infectious diseases researchers have participated in a collaborative global research program which has achieved international standing. Their groundbreaking research to develop personalised medicine tailored to the individual patient’s DNA has produced significant health and social benefits throughout the world.
IIID’s research is focussed on the practical applications of identifying a patient’s genetic profile and then determining the most appropriate strategy for treating the disease. Mallal’s team is committed to providing a place where open interactions between patients, support groups, health practitioners and researchers can take place. As such, the new facility will not only offer a place for research to take place, but also have a dedicated space from which community organisations can deliver social support services and information sessions.
Construction of the $35 million IIID building has attracted support from major partners including $12 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, $19.5 million from the Australian Government, $2.3 million from the WA Government, $500,000 from the McCusker Charitable Foundation and $500,000 from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation. Such investments are recognition of the importance of treating infectious diseases at a time when the potential for disease transmission is at an unprecedented high.