breakthrough 50th Anniversary Edition | Issue 22

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Inside this issue: Feature story: Feature Story - The Garvan Journey (1963 – 2013) 1 Opinion 2 The Garvan Journey Milestones in Our Lifetime 2 Profile: James Patrick Garvan 3 (1963 – 2013) Researcher Profile: Professor Sue Clark 3 Celebrating a Historical Partnership 3 Today, the Garvan Institute of Medical Research is recognised as one of ’s premier medical research Researcher Profile: Professor David James 6 institutes; however, its beginnings as a St Vincent’s The Power of Giving 6 Hospital clinical research unit were far more humble. What the Future Holds..... 7 In 1963, when Garvan first opened its doors, only three endocrinology researchers occupied two ground-floor Coming Up 8 laboratories. In Memoriam 8 Nowadays, the 650-strong team working within the Garvan and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre (TKCC) are recognised as world leaders in the fight against the major diseases of our time - cancer, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, neurological diseases, and immune disorders.

Continued on pages 4 and 5.

Garvan Major Breakthrough Timeline 1973 Developed life-saving infusion technique 1983-86 Discovered the potential beneficial effects of fish oil in 1986 Produced Australia’s first genetically to treat ketoacidosis – a complication of diabetes the diet and demonstrated effects of some foods on behaviour engineered human therapeutic th versary E breakthrough 50 Anni dition 3 Profile: Researcher Opinion James Patrick Garvan Profile: Professor This year we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Sue Clark The Institute was predicated on the vision Professor Sue Clark and foresight of the Sisters of Charity, who recognised that their mission to heal the sick The most recent publication from Professor Sue Clark’s group in the Cancer could not be fulfilled without research to Research Program, promises to transform how people understand gene regulation in cancer. Professor Clark and her team study ‘epigenetics’ - which involves prevent disease. It has been sustained by the understanding the molecular machinery ‘above’ the genome. This includes how faithful support of our governments and the James Patrick Garvan the DNA is packaged inside the nucleus, and how DNA becomes organised extraordinary generosity of our community. James Patrick Garvan migrated from and modified and expressed. “We are unravelling the molecular puzzle of DNA The ethos of the Garvan is embedded in this Ireland with his family at four years packaging and gene control and how that goes wrong in cancer. We are mapping of age in 1847. He was educated in the epigenome of normal cells versus cancer cells and hope to use this information mission and its close historical and ongoing Margaret Davis links with St Vincent’s Hospital. Exploring and became a distinguished to translate into clinical benefits - being able to diagnose and treat cancer,” explains the unknown requires gifted and dedicated NSW parliamentarian and insurance Professor Clark. individuals, as well as state-of-the-art entrepreneur. Garvan married Mary Always interested in puzzles and the challenge of finding answers, Professor Clark experimental and analytical facilities, to create Genevieve in 1871 with whom he had initially studied botany, “I was intrigued by the variety of leaf and flower types. That a critical mass of vibrant discovery. Bringing it a large family of six sons and six led me into how genes were expressed that give rise to the variety of colours we see to fruition requires research-informed clinicians Milestones in daughters. in flowers. Interestingly, this is all due to epigenetics.” to translate the insights obtained into the Garvan enjoyed various roles as a business “I then chose to move from my original field and specialised in the new field amelioration of disease. This is encapsulated in leader and politician in his working life. of . I did my PhD at Adelaide University where I made the the mission of the Garvan to make significant Our Lifetime In 1875 he read for the Bar with William first human cloned lambda library* which was very exciting, and that led into contributions to medical research that will Bede Dalley and Sir Edmund Barton who understanding how genes, in particular histone** genes, were organised.” change the directions of science and medicine It is easy to take modern medicine for granted. We now have later referred to Garvan’s “entirety of life, Professor Clark has been at the Garvan since 2004. “Garvan appealed to me and have major impacts on human health. relatively easy access to ubiquitous drugs such as antibiotics adorned with consistent principle, filled because it was important to work at a medical research institute, and because and advanced therapies for cardiovascular disease, cancer and Garvan scientists studied not just cancer, but all major complex diseases. Also, there Institutes like the Garvan are very special places up in the discharge of virtuous duty, diabetes, just to name a few. It takes a person like Margaret Davis is a very good liaison between clinicians at St Vincent’s, the Royal Prince Alfred that fulfill several important functions in the with nothing to conceal, no friendship to remind us that these treatment options have only recently Hospital, and clinical collaborations both in NSW and nationally.” generation and transfer of knowledge for the broken, no confidence betrayed, no timid become available. community. They are places of discovery, where surrender to popular clamour, no eager “Garvan has also spent more than a decade building internationally leading tissue 1 bio-banks, in particular for breast cancer and prostate cancer. So that gives us great minds gather and wrestle with ignorance. As a paediatric nurse in the 1940s, Margaret saw families reaches for popular favour”. access to clinical samples which is critical to advance the epigenetic research that They are also part of a much greater endeavour, experience the most unimaginable pain and suffering. He founded the Citizens Life Assurance we do.” portals to an entire world of emerging insights, “We would have to nurse sick children with meningitis for three Company Ltd in 1886, which later The newest finding from Clark’s group involved building prostate cancer epigenome and the sites of early uptake of new concepts weeks until the end.” It is incredible that in just one (very full) became MLC. A gifted sportsman, maps, “We have shown that large domains of the cancer genome are remodelled in and medical technologies. lifetime, there have been multiple, significant breakthroughs Garvan held the record throw of 121 yards in medical research and Margaret has experienced firsthand the prostate cell due to changes in DNA methylation and chromatin structure. This It has been led by outstanding individuals one foot (111m) with a cricket ball. James finding will have a significant impact on our understanding of diagnostic tests and how these can change lives. “The discovery of penicillin and like Professors Les Lazarus and John Patrick Garvan died in 1896, survived chemotherapy treatment.” streptomycin were remarkable, and put an end to nursing sick Shine, supported and guided by Boards of by his wife and twelve children. He no children in their final days of tuberculosis, and death from, in Professor Clark describes the new Kinghorn Cancer Centre as, “the light on the hill. extraordinary wisdom and capability. It has doubt would have been proud of his today’s terms relatively simple ailments such as a post orbital We tend to be buried in our labs and it is pretty exciting to show the community it isn’t been the home of many outstanding scientists daughter Helen’s donation to facilitate (behind the eye) abscess.” just about the laboratory, but the interactions between both the clinic and the lab.” and clinicians, who have made enormous the establishment of a medical research institute that has grown to become “I am a basic research scientist and I really do strongly believe that it is critical to contributions to knowledge of human biology Margaret speaks passionately about medical research as it has invest in basic research because it provides the building blocks for new discoveries and disease, and the quality and effectiveness of impacted her working life, her own health and the health of her one of Australia’s largest, with over six hundred scientists, students and to be able to be translated into the clinic. Without basic research, which is a long medical treatment. family and friends. “Taking it easy” is not a phrase in Margaret’s term investment for our future, Australia would always be lagging the world for vocabulary and she is fighting fit thanks to medical research. professional support staff. On behalf of all innovative medical treatments. What I love about the Garvan is that we invest 1Bede Nairn, ‘Garvan, James Patrick (1843-1896)’, Australian heavily in basic research but then we also invest in moving our findings to clinical of my colleagues She was treated for a potentially life threatening heart condition Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian usefulness as fast as possible.” and those that in 1992 and then osteoporosis from 1995. Margaret has personally National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/garvan- james-patrick-3598/text5579, accessed 04 January 2013. * Sections of DNA are cloned into bacteria – which when pooled together can be grown to prepare vast quantities of human DNA have gone before, benefited from cutting edge discoveries and therapies for these ** A type of protein that packages and organises DNA I extend sincere conditions that would not have existed without medical research. thanks to all who Without these treatments Margaret would not be able to enjoy have supported life as she does today, and certainly would not be as competitive Celebrating a Historical Partnership and nurtured the in the Australian Crossword Club. In its 50th year Garvan is proud to celebrate its historical partnership with the MLC Community Foundation. Garvan was Garvan over the Margaret would like to see an improvement in cancer incidence established in 1963 with a significant philanthropic gift in memory of James Patrick Garvan; the founder of the company now past 50 years, and for our next generations but she would also like to see a shift known as MLC. Fast forward 50 years and MLC Community Foundation continues to provide vital support to ensure Garvan who continue to in the way some of the more obscure diseases like dystrophies remains at the cutting edge of medical research. Most recently MLC Community do so. We look and degenerative neuromuscular diseases are prioritised. She is Foundation invested in a piece of equipment that was the first of its kind in Australia forward to you optimistic about the new medical research discoveries that are and is used 24/7 to meet demand. What’s the secret to our success? Both organisations being a part of our Professor John Mattick AO FAA just around the corner. share a rigorous commitment to the improved health and wellbeing of the community. Executive Director future progress.

1990 Cloned human galanin, a brain chemical that 1991 Cloned the neuropeptide Y receptor, leading to greater understanding of how this 1991-94 Revealed the benefits of transdermal versus oral 1992 Demonstrated that the Vitamin D receptor gene is responsible 1993-4 Discovered the role of regulates appetite, anxiety and depression potent brain molecule controls important functions such as the immune system and appetite oestrogen - a major health benefit for menopausal women for differences in bone density and susceptibility for osteoporosis cyclins in breast cancer th versary E breakthrough 50 Anni dition 5 Feature story: The Garvan Journey (1963 – 2013)

Origins metabolism in cardiac failure, the University of NSW became formally published 219 peer reviewed research gonadotrophin in breast cancer, protein affiliated, and the Garvan Research papers in journals with an average The Garvan journey began 56 years ago binding of steroid hormone, and iron Foundation was established. impact factor over 8 (a measure of when funds raised in conjunction with the metabolism*. importance of a journal within its field). Perhaps the most significant event in centenary celebrations of the founding This places Garvan above internationally the recognition of Garvan as a national of St Vincent’s Hospital by the Sisters Growth, Expansion, and Change accepted benchmark levels and is of Charity were set aside “...to provide heavyweight in medical research took Research in the ‘60s and ‘70s was testament to the excellence of Garvan a building to enable the establishment place in the early ‘90s when Garvan was dominated by endocrinology, fostered science and scientists. of a research unit.” The illustrious awarded a National Health and Medical by the presence of the State Reference committee formed to oversee the unit’s Research Council (NHMRC) block funding It was the Diabetes and Obesity Laboratory for endocrine assays**. development included Sir John Eccles, grant. Garvan became one of only five Program that first placed Garvan on The late ‘70s and ‘80s were characterised the Nobel Prize winning physiologist, and ‘centres of research excellence’ in Australia, the international medical research by expansion of the scientific staff Sir Edward Ford, Dean of Medicine at and the only such institute in NSW. Block map when, in the 1970s, Professors including the arrival of a critical mass of Sydney University. In 1961, a substantial funding, and a subsequent infrastructure Ted Kraegen, Don Chisholm and Paul key senior researchers many of whom are donation of £100,000 was given to the grant from the NSW government, allowed Compton developed a computer model now recognised as ground-breakers in fund by Helen Mills, the daughter of for expansion of the Garvan site into of blood glucose and insulin control their field. James Patrick Garvan (1843 – 96) who a world class research facility and the which led to the first bedside insulin was one of the founders of the insurance These included: Professor John Eisman, opportunity to increase the number of infusion system, or ‘artificial pancreas’. Mr Barry Unsworth, former NSW Premier (left) with Professor Leslie Lazarus (right) industry in Australia. He was also a former a world leader in bone mineral and scientists towards 250. Research in the program then led to the first low-dose intravenous insulin Minister of Justice, Attorney General and Vitamin D research; the late Professor In 1990, after 25 years of leading Garvan, at Garvan’s 1986 AGM. therapy for diabetic ketoacidosis*** - a Colonial Treasurer of NSW. And so the Rob Sutherland who established one Professor Lazarus retired and Professor discovery that has saved countless lives new St Vincent’s research unit was named of Australia’s most successful cancer John Shine took over as Executive Hebert Herzog was the first to clone worldwide. More recently, in a landmark ‘Garvan’ in his honour. research programs, initially in the fields Director. Professor Shine’s appointment the neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor, a discovery, the team uncovered the role cancers. Due to its expertise in pancreatic of breast and prostate cancer but later coincided with the explosion of genetic brain molecule that plays unique and The newly built Garvan Institute of Medical of abdominal fat, as opposed to ‘butt fat’ cancer research, in 2009 Garvan took a diversifying into cancers of the pancreas, technologies and the possibility of finally critical roles in the immune system, Research, which stood on the corner of in determining risk of Type 2 diabetes leading role in the Australian arm of the ovary, head and neck and lung; Professor understanding the molecular basis of in the regulation of appetite, and in Victoria and Burton Streets and Chaplin and influencing insulin resistance. In International Cancer Genome Consortium, Don Chisholm now a leader in diabetes health and disease. To reflect this, Garvan’s bone synthesis. More recently the Lane in Darlinghurst, was formally opened recent years, the Program has focused a global body cataloguing the genome of research and care; and Professor John scientific effort was divided into four Neuroscience and Immunology Programs by The Duke of Norfolk on February 17th particularly on the relationship of the 50 most common cancers. Identifying Shine, the first to clone the insulin gene research divisions: Bone and Mineral, collaborated to publish ground-breaking 1963 at a ceremony attended by 1,500 adipose tissue to the impairment of whole cancer genome sequences will and who was Garvan’s Executive Director Cancer, Neurobiology, and Metabolic data that identified the pathway that supporters and dignitaries. The date insulin action and insulin secretion, allow researchers to pinpoint the exact from 1990 to 2011. Research. The Immunology Program was reveals how stress can suppress the was chosen to fit in with a lay-day in the leading to development of Type 2 molecular aberrations of each tumour, and added in the late ‘90s. The mid to late immune system. And in 2011, the NHMRC Australia-England cricket test as the Duke In May 1984 the NSW Parliament diabetes; this has involved identification will therefore make it easier to target them ‘90s witnessed the complete rebuild and awarded pain researcher Dr Greg Neely was English team manager. incorporated Garvan as an autonomous of molecular mechanisms in studies with the most appropriate treatment. non-profit research institute, “...to further extension of Garvan facilities into the a prize for the top grant application in The first annual report noted with pride extending from single cells to full scale knowledge in the field of human medicine Frank Woolley designed building of today the country for his ‘highly innovative and The Immunology Program was established that the three Garvan researchers - human studies. by promoting the conduct of research with the iconic staircase. potentially transformative project’ which by a major bequest in 1998 and began Associate Professor John Hickie, Professor The Osteoporosis and Bone Biology maps corresponding pain genes in fruit with the recruitment of Professors in that field, being research which is The year 2012 saw two new milestones Les Lazarus, and Dr Jim Biggs - had Program focuses on the genetic, flies and humans. Charles and Fabienne Mackay. It received consistent with the tenets of the Sisters in the Garvan journey. Firstly, in January, established a number of new projects hormonal and lifestyle influences on a major boost in the mid-2000s with of Charity.” At the same time Garvan and Professor John Mattick took up the role as The Cancer Program investigates the including studies of aldosterone optimum bone mass. In 1997, Professors the recruitment of several new research Garvan’s next Executive Director following genetics, epigenetics, and cellular and John Eisman and Tuan Nguyen’s group groups headed by Emeritus Professor the retirement of Professor Shine after of breast, colorectal, published breakthrough data showing Antony Basten working on autoimmunity more than 20 years leading the Institute. lung, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate that the Vitamin D receptor gene is and allergy. Professor Mattick has made a significant cancers. The strength of Garvan’s cancer responsible for differences in bone contribution to the understanding of program is reflected in the opening of Research in the Immunology Program density. The program also runs the genetics and genomics through his the TKCC which places Garvan cancer has led to the formation of a spin-out Dubbo Osteoporosis Epidemiology farsighted theories on ‘junk’ DNA. And researchers at the national epicentre biotechnology company, G2 Therapies, Study (DOES), which began in 1989 and in late 2012, The Kinghorn Cancer Centre of new diagnostics and therapeutics which developed a monoclonal antibody is the world’s longest running large-scale (TKCC), a joint venture between Garvan for cancer. Previously, the program therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical epidemiological study of osteoporotic and St Vincent’s Hospital, opened its was responsible for one of the top 20 trials are currently underway. More fractures in men and women and has doors. TKCC’s vision is to realise the advances in breast cancer of the 1990s recently, the current Program Leader, established bone fracture as a major promise of innovative personalised when a group led by the late Professor Associate Professor Robert Brink mortality risk. Most recently, DOES has medicine for people affected by cancer Rob Sutherland, discovered the role of published innovative data explaining enabled the development of a calculator and it will focus on translational research cyclins in breast cancer. More recently, how infection can trigger B-cells to for the risk of a bone fracture in people and personalised cancer care. Dr Alex Swarbrick found a way of inappropriately launch an autoimmune over 60; the calculator has been licensed shrinking tumours in certain cancers attack, a process poorly understood to Merck Sharpe & Dohme who are Scientific Highlights which are caused by a new class of genes until now. preparing an iPad application for use known as ‘microRNAs’. He identified * aldosterone and gonadotrophin are hormones; Year after year, Garvan researchers by GPs. one particular microRNA (microRNA protein binding tests measure the degree to which continue to perform at the highest particular drugs may bind to blood proteins - this is The Neuroscience Program explores 380) that appears to disable the king level - they win competitive grants and a measure of drug efficacy disorders such as Alzheimer’s and of tumour suppressors, the P53 gene. publish innovative research in esteemed ** measurements of hormone levels in the blood Left to Right – The late Professor Rob Sutherland, Professor John Eisman, Professor John Shine, Parkinson’s disease, eating disorders, This finding holds promise for the *** a life-threatening complication of people with Professor Don Chisholm and Ms Norma Perry circa 1990. academic journals. Last year researchers pain and hearing loss. In 1991, Professor future treatment of microRNA-induced diabetes

1998 Identified the chromosomal region 1999-2005 Developed methods to culture adult nerve 2000 Uncovered the role of abdominal fat in determining 2000 First gene chip facility in Australia opened. Developed the largest prostate 2000-6 Significant advances made in identifying the exact role of gene mutations responsible for susceptibility to bipolar disorder stem cells capable of generating new brain cells risk of Type 2 diabetes and influencing insulin resistance cancer tissue bank in the world (in collaboration with St Vincent’s Hospital) in cancers through the use of large human tissue banks and patient databases th versary E breakthrough 50 Anni dition 7 Researcher Profile: What the Professor David James Future Holds..... Professor David James, Director of The chance to rub shoulders with the Garvan’s Diabetes and Obesity clinicians at St Vincent’s Hospital was Executive Director Professor John Mattick AO FAA Program, often starts his seminars with integral to Professor James’ early a quote from Hippocrates, “If we could career, “You got to chat about the big reflects on 50 years of research at the Garvan, and give every individual the right amount picture, and learn about medicine and of nourishment and exercise, not too clinical application. It put everything discusses what the next 10 years might hold. little and not too much, we would have into context. That had a very significant The Kinghorn Cancer Centre found the safest way to health.” He then impact on me.” What are your thoughts when Can you tell us a bit more about Philanthropy is critical because public follows up with a quote from WHO’s It was this close interaction between reflecting on Garvan’s history? genomic medicine? funding systems tend to be, by nature, 2012 obesity report, which aims to scientists and clinicians and the fact At the 50th anniversary, it is important Genomics involves sequencing an conservative and orthodox. At Garvan make “...regular physical activity and that Professor James is a “Sydney boy” to remember that the Garvan Institute individual’s entire DNA, as well as we have people who often have insights healthier dietary patterns affordable that eventually drew him back to the has two special stories of origin. The analysing their well ahead of the curve, and we need to and easily accessible to all.” Garvan after completing postdoctoral first is the legacy left by the Sisters of patterns. Having access to this have the resources to attract and equip These two quotes summarise the training elsewhere and running labs in Charity who believed it was important to information enables us to determine them to invent the future. Philanthropy millennia-old problem that Professor St Louis and Brisbane. not just treat disease, but to try and beat the full molecular signatures of different leverages great people with great ideas James is trying to solve. Indeed, he It was during his postdoctoral training Professor David James disease. And that spirit stays today. cancers, and the best treatment options at good institutions, and in turn they describes himself as “...one of the good that Professor James made what and approaches. Tumour sequencing has feed back to the community. guys, fighting the ever-expanding gang The second is to remember the Garvan remains a landmark finding in diabetes We can now sequence people’s already been used to identify mutations of thieves - metabolic disease, obesity family who made a special donation We like to involve our donors in what research - how glucose is ferried from genomes and phenotype people with and successfully inform treatment. and diabetes and their associated the blood stream into muscle and fat diabetes much more accurately than just over 50 years ago to establish a we do so they become part of the partners in crime, which include some cells. Discovering GLUT4, the insulin- just taking their blood glucose level. research institute in honour of James Soon, personalised genomic medicine journey and excitement of discovery. types of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and Patrick Garvan. It was a magnificent gift, will be routine. Doctors will use patients’ Much of our research is built on the base regulated glucose-transporter protein, Already genomics and other ‘omics cardiovascular disease.” “was like sitting on Mt Everest,” says and in a sense a seed was planted. That complete genetic sequences to factor which has been founded by generous allow us to look more deeply and use tree is alive and well and growing 50 in variations between individuals donations from people who want to Professor James started his scientific Professor James. information to predict what is going to career at the Garvan in the late 1970s, years later, and will continue to give to when deciding how to treat diseases. make a difference. Nowadays, the Garvan has over 100 happen later in the lives of patients,” the Australian population for many years Within the next decade, we will be firstly as a research assistant working What can we expect from Garvan 10 people working on the problems of says Professor James. to come. contemplating having everybody’s under Professors Ted Kraegen and years from now? diabetes and obesity, and those in The challenge of research is “what gets individual gene sequences as part of Don Chisholm processing insulin and What makes Garvan and The Kinghorn The Garvan is the light on the hill. It will Professor James’ group are working me up in the morning,” says Professor their medical records. Genomics will glucagon assays for the St Vincent’s Cancer Centre so special? be the leading institute of the nation in to understand the complex interaction James. But the success of ‘big data’ become embedded in the health system. endocrine clinic, and later as one of We have a long history of research the application of genomic medicine, in between the environment, especially research and its impact on diabetes and only two PhD students in the Institute. and innovation in cancer, diabetes Genomic medicine provides so many understanding human disease, and in increased food intake, and genetics, obesity depends not just on technology, An early interest in and and obesity, immunological diseases, opportunities, but are there any advancing the prevention and treatment “We are at an historical moment in but on the people in Professor James metabolism had led him to the Garvan neurological diseases, and osteoporosis. challenges? of complex diseases like cancer. science. Genomics is about to become group, “We are only as big as the sum where he describes there being “an Garvan is one of the country’s, and the A challenge is an opportunity! If you can Genomic medicine is a conceptual one tool in the physician’s toolbox. of the parts and we work together as intimate connection between the clinic world’s, leading research institutes in reasonably anticipate what is happening, change that will transform the medical a team.” and the science.” these areas. And every one of these then you have an opportunity to get landscape. By the end of the decade, we diseases is a major problem, particularly ahead of the curve. will be genotyping each type of cancer in a population that is living longer to get rapid and precise diagnosis and One big challenge for the healthcare because of past advances in medical treatment options. system is to embrace these innovations. research and treatment. Another challenge is how to assemble Week by week, research may seem The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, which the information into useable databases. slow and frustrating, but then you have The Power of Giving is a joint venture between the Garvan The information must be gathered, wonderful breakthroughs, and decade and St Vincent’s Hospital, is the first curated and translated into advice by decade the changes are enormous. For every dollar scientists are granted, we must raise a further 70c to ensure they have the support and infrastructure comprehensive cancer centre in the for the clinicians and patients. The Just think - it is only 70 years or so since available to carry out their essential research effectively. Philanthropic supporters are deeply embedded in the history nation where clinicians who are treating technology is no longer the issue - it will penicillin became available. And we can of the Garvan and have facilitated some remarkable achievements. cancer work side-by-side, day-by- be the gathering and provision of the now sequence the whole human genome The Immunology Program was established following a major bequest in 1998, and a major breakthrough of this team has been day with cancer researchers who are information that will be critical. for $5000 in three hours - a decade ago working on new methods to diagnose it took 10 years and cost $1 billion. The the development of a new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The new Kinghorn Cancer Centre, a joint venture of St Vincent’s Why does medical research need and treat cancer. The establishment of pace of change in molecular biology and Hospital and the Garvan Institute is a world-class facility that brings cancer patients, clinicians and researchers closer together. philanthropy? this new centre coincides with a massive medicine is just staggering. We have The Centre’s aim is to realise the vision of personalised cancer care. This vision would not be possible without generous Philanthropy has a dual purpose. Firstly, change in our scientific understanding of made enormous progress. The next ten private donations and strong community support that we rely on and for which we are very grateful. to underpin basic research projects, human genetics and the molecular basis years will see enormous progress in the programs and infrastructure, but more of cancer. The Kinghorn Cancer Centre understanding of human biology, most Last year more than 11,000 individuals and organisations made donations to the Garvan’s work through the Garvan Research importantly, it empowers the visionary will lead the nation in the application of excitingly in the brain, the next frontier, Foundation and contributed more than $19 million towards Garvan’s medical research. An additional $700,000 was left to individuals who have new ideas. Garvan in generous far-sighted bequests. This is incredible growth from the $110,000 raised in 1981, the Foundation’s first year. new genetic technologies to diagnose and in the development of new ways to and effectively treat cancer. overcome disease.

2002 Discovered that Neuropeptide 2003 Identified the role of several genes in asthma 2005 Identified a pathway that reveals how a stress 2006 Developed and commercialised an antibody treatment 2007 Identified the molecule responsible for the extreme weight loss Y regulates bone synthesis development using microarray technology hormone in the brain can suppress the immune system for anti-inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis common in late stage cancer (in collaboration with St Vincent’s Hospital) Coming Up In Memoriam November 2012 - January 2013.

Garvan Public Seminars Donations have been made in memory of: Thursday 16 May – Cancer in the Age of Personalised David G Aitken Edith Gallagher Dung-Anh Nyny Medicine. Maureen Aronson Susan Gamble Nguyen-Huyen Adrian Notley Thursday 15 August – The Science of the Brain. John Ying H Au Doris Greason Lawrence & Anthony Thursday 14 November – Diabetes in Modern Australia. Lynette Ball Robert Grover O’Brien Susan Bayley Aaron Hafey For more information or to register for Public Gregory Palmer Seminars visit www.giving.garvan.org.au/seminars Joy Beazley Seamus Hanniffy or phone (02) 9295 8110. Seminars are free, but Annie Pheloung Helene Bell Joan Harrison registrations are essential. Merril Phillips Peter Boersma Thomas H Hill Neta Prior Kevin A Boyle Dianne J Howie Young Garvan Events Robert J Rice Valerie Bulluss Daphne Kelly Thursday 21st March - “Does my bum look big in Mandy Shannon Annabel Catt Patricia Kelly this?” The science of fat and diets forum. For more Nicola Silvestri information, www.giving.garvan.org.au/garvan- Aileen Cicolini Janette Lackenby John Smith institute/young-garvan/2013forum1, registrations Ernest F Coot Herman Langenberg open 3rd February. Kalla Stanley Helen Costas Gloria Lardelli Thursday 30th May - “Stress: is your job slowly killing Vasilly Stavropoulos Pat Cowie Neville Leard you?” Registrations open approximately 10th April. Gemma Stella Suann Croker Keith Leslie For more information, www.giving.garvan.org.au/ George Stewart aboutyounggarvan. Costa Damoulakis Tim & Andrew Lynch Professor Rob Sutherland Saturday 13th July – Young Garvan All Ribbons Ball Janelle K Davis Margherita & Michele AO FAA at the Hilton Sydney. For more information Maldarella Marina Dixon Stephanie S Waley www.giving.garvan.org.au/allribbonsball. Peter Male Glenda Dollin Monty Walker Andrew Manny Sue Dowlan Gordon Weeks Garvan Gala Antonio J Marchiori Kevin John Elliott Rene Wiecek Saturday 25th May – Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Hotel. Ray Empey George Massey For more information go to Suzette Yuen Sylvia Mayton www.giving.garvan.org.au/gala or phone Barry W Fisher (02) 9295 8110. Beryl G Forbes Timothy P Morath

2009 Identified the links between diet, gut bacteria and the immune system, 2010 Demonstrated for the first time that a primary tumour can be highlighting the importance of insoluble dietary fibre in keeping many diseases at bay shrunk by inhibiting a class of gene known as ‘microRNA’

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2010 Showed for the first time that even modest weight loss of 6kgs reverses 2011 Developed a reagent with the potential to prevent rejection of many of the damaging changes often seen in the immune cells of obese people transplanted insulin-producing cells in people with Type 1 diabetes