Australian Biochemist

The Magazine of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Inc. August 2019, Volume 50, Number 2

VOLISSN 50 NO 2 AUGUST 1443-0193 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 1 Be inspired during the 3- da y progra m including a fa nta stic lineup of industry lea ding interna tiona l plena ry spea kers, a nd hea r from our society specia lty lectures, be enga ged with poster presenta tions a nd lea rn a t the E/MCR mini- symposium. For more informa tion on our spea kers, progra m a nd to register, visit our website www.a sbmb2019.com.a u

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PAGE 2 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 Table of Contents

4 Editorial Committee 5 Editorial 7 Publications with Impact Distinct Mechanisms Govern Recognition of Viral and Host Ligands by an Innate Immune Receptor Buying Time for Contractile Signaling Genetic Stutters, Gut Feelings and Neurodegenerative Disease 11 Off the Beaten Track Why it Sometimes Pays to Work for Money 14 ASBMB Education Feature Glycogen Builder: the Game Making a Drama Out of Biochemistry From the Whiteboard to the Conference: Scaffolding Conference-style Poster Presentations 18 SDS Page The Importance of Blue Sky Research 19 Competition: Unscramble 20 ASBMB 2019 International Plenary Speaker Profiles 22 ASBMB 2019 Symposium Speakers 23 Melbourne Protein Group: an ASBMB Special Interest Group 24 ASBMB Shimadzu Education Award Report 26 Intellectual Property Patenting Inventions in the Microbiome Space 29 Queen’s Birthday Honours for ASBMB Members 31 ASBMB Awards 2020 33 Election of Council 2020 33 Annual General Meeting of ASBMB 34 New ASBMB Members 35 Forthcoming Meetings 36 Our Sustaining Members 41 ASBMB Council 42 Directory Front Cover Bachelor of Biomedicine students from the University of Melbourne participating in an acting skills workshop with Rinske Ginsberg, VCA Theatre, as part of the Performing Sciences program, where students devise short performances embodying biochemical concepts. The program has been running since 2018 and is the brainchild of Terry Mulhern, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Photo credit: Paul Burston, University of Melbourne.

Australian Biochemist – Editor Tatiana Soares da Costa, Editorial Officer Liana Friedman © 2019 Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Inc. All rights reserved.

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 3 Australian Biochemist Editorial Committee Members

Editor Editorial Officer Dr Tatiana Soares da Costa Liana Friedman Department of Biochemistry and Email: [email protected] Genetics La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science La Trobe University Bundoora VIC 3086 Email: [email protected] Phone: (03) 9479 2227

Dr Doug Fairlie Dr Sarah Hennebry Olivia Newton-John Cancer FPA Patent Attorneys Research Institute and La Trobe 101 Collins Street University Melbourne VIC 3000 Heidelberg VIC 3084 Email: sarah.hennebry@ Email: [email protected] fpapatents.com Phone: (03) 9496 9369 Phone: (03) 9288 1213

Joe Kaczmarski Associate Professor Tracey Kuit Research School of Chemistry School of Chemistry and Molecular Australian National University Bioscience Canberra ACT 0200 University of Wollongong Email: joe.kaczmarski@ Wollongong NSW 2522 anu.edu.au Email: [email protected] Phone: (02) 4221 4916

Dr Erinna Lee Dr Nirma Samarawickrema La Trobe Institute for Molecular Department of Biochemistry and Science and Olivia Newton-John Molecular Biology Cancer Research Institute Monash University Heidelberg VIC 3084 Clayton VIC 3800 Email: [email protected] Email: nirma.samarawickrema@ Phone: (03) 9496 9369 monash.edu Phone: (03) 9902 0295

Dr Gabrielle Watson Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton VIC 3800 Email: gabrielle.watson@ monash.edu Phone: (03) 9902 9227

PAGE 4 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 Editorial

It is with great pleasure that I bring you the August 2019 issue of our magazine as the sole Editor. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Suresh Mathivanan for helping me as the Co-Editor in the past couple of years! I still remember reading the Australian Biochemist for the first time as a first year PhD student and being amazed at the achievements of our members. It is fantastic that I get to run the magazine that has been part of my life for so long. So, what’s in store this issue? We highlight high impact publications from our members covering innate immune systems, cell signalling and gut microbiota. We also discuss how performing arts and science education come together (Education Feature), the importance of blue-sky research (SDS Page) and patenting inventions in the microbiome space (Intellectual Property). If you ever thought about a career in science communications, then check out our Off the Beaten article by Chloe Warren. We also highlight the profiles of our ASBMB members who received Queen’s Birthday Honours and the ASBMB 2019 international plenary speakers. This issue would not have come together without the help of all the contributors and my fantastic Editorial team, particularly Liana Friedman, our Editorial Officer. We also welcome Gabrielle Watson as the new travel reports coordinator. I hope you enjoy our magazine and feel free to contact me with feedback or ideas for future issues!

Tatiana Soares da Costa Editor, Australian Biochemist [email protected] @Tatiana_Biochem

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 5 PAGE 6 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 Publications with Impact

Publications with Impact profiles recent, high impact publications by ASBMB members. These short summaries showcase some of the latest research by presenting the work in a brief but accessible manner. If your work has recently been published in a high profile journal, please contact us at [email protected].

Distinct Mechanisms Govern Recognition of Viral and Host Ligands by an Innate Immune Receptor

Balaji GR, Aguilar OA, Tanaka M, Shingu-Vazquez MA, Fu Z, Gully BS, Lanier LL, Carlyle JR, Rossjohn J, Berry R*. Recognition of host Clr-b by the inhibitory NKR-P1B receptor provides a basis for missing-self recognition. Nat Commun 2018;9:4623. *Corresponding author: [email protected]

Within the innate immune system, the prototypical NK cell receptor ligands, thereby alerting NK cells to NKR-P1 receptor family plays a critical role in the presence of a virus via a process termed ‘missing- regulating the activity of natural killer (NK) cells. self’ recognition. For example, the down-regulation of Now, an international team led by Dr Richard host C-type lectin related-b (Clr-b), which serves as Berry (Monash University) has determined the first a ligand for the inhibitory NKR-P1B receptor, renders structure of an inhibitory NKR-P1 receptor bound infected cells susceptible to missing self-recognition. to a self-ligand. Their findings provide new insights The importance of this pathway is highlighted by our into the processes governing immune cell activation recent discovery that cytomegalovirus subverts innate and reveal that distinct mechanisms underpin immunity by encoding a surrogate NKR-P1 ligand, m12, recognition of viral- and self-derived ligands by that replaces Clr-b and thereby protects infected cells NKR-P1 receptors. from NK cell-mediated lysis (Aguilar OA, Berry R, et al., NK cells are fast-acting innate lymphocytes that form Cell 2017:169;58–71). While we have demonstrated part of the body’s front-line of defense against several that m12 targets NKR-P1B using a polar claw style pathological conditions including viral infection and mechanism, the molecular basis for the NKR-P1B:Clr-b cellular transformation. Within this context, NK cells interaction remained unknown. are key guardians that detect and ultimately eliminate To address this fundamental gap in our knowledge, we stressed/damaged/infected cells via the integration determined the crystal structure of NKR-P1B bound to of signals received from an array of activating and Clr-b, which revealed that the C-type lectin-like domains inhibitory cell surface receptors that include the of receptor and ligand interacted via a head-to-head NKR-P1 family. Under normal conditions, the interaction docking mode. However, surprisingly, we were unable to of inhibitory NK cell receptors with ‘self’ molecules detect binding of NKR-P1B to Clr-b using any solution- protects heathy tissues from NK cell attack. However, based approach. Turning to the structure for clues, we viral infection triggers the down-regulation of inhibitory identified an unconventional NKR-P1B homo-dimer that

Model outlining the mechanisms governing recognition of distinct host (Clr-b) and viral (m12) ligands by the NKR- P1B receptor. m12 binds to all NKR-P1B species with high affinity, while Clr-b binding requires additional avidity effects conferred by oligomerisation of the NKR-P1B lectin-like domains. Membrane proximal stalks and disulphide bonds are depicted by dashed and solid lines, respectively.

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 7 Publications with Impact cross-linked two NKR-P1B:Clr-b complexes to form mechanisms govern the response of a single receptor a hexameric arrangement (see figure, left). While our towards host- and virus-encoded ligands (see figure). recombinant NKR-P1B was monomeric in solution, Richard Berry and Gautham Balaji native full length NKR-P1B resides on the cell surface Department of Biochemistry and as disulfide-linked homodimers due to the presence of Molecular Biology, Monash University cysteines within the membrane proximal stalk regions. Thus, we hypothesised that the interaction of monomeric NKR-P1B with Clr-b was extremely weak. To investigate this further, alongside the Carlyle lab in Toronto, we generated several point mutants designed to disrupt the NKR-P1B homodimer, and observed abrogated binding to Clr-b as assessed by cellular staining experiments and reporter cell assays. Altogether, these data indicated that productive NKR-P1B:Clr-b interactions require additional avidity effects conferred by the non- classic NKR-P1B homodimer. Remarkably, these results were in direct contrast to those obtained for the viral ligand, m12, which bound to NKR-P1B with high affinity, irrespective of the Members from the Monash BDI involved in the study. oligomerisation status of the receptor. Thus, our study From left: Miguel Shingu-Vazquez, Zhihui Fu, Richard suggests that different (avidity versus affinity driven) Berry, Gautham Balaji and Benjamin Gully. Buying Time for Contractile Signaling

Budnar S*, Husain KB, Gomez GA, Naghibosadat M, Varma A, Verma S, Hamilton NA, Morris RG*, Yap AS*. Anillin promotes cell contractility by cyclic resetting of RhoA residence kinetics. Dev Cell 2019;49(6):894-906.e12. *Corresponding authors: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

The cell cortex comprises the cytoskeletal network, enriched in actin and myosin, found associated with the plasma membrane. It fundamentally controls many aspects of cell behaviour, such as cell shape, cell division, and cell–cell adhesion. The cortex is contractile, and this is generally thought to be regulated by the RhoA GTPase. Active, GTP- bound RhoA is generated at the cortex, and this then signals by recruiting effector molecules such as ROCK and mDia1 to stimulate contractility. Surprisingly, we found that active RhoA signals at the cortex are extremely transient and decay rapidly. Despite this labile nature of RhoA signals, effective contractile signaling manifests at the cortex of Anillin promotes contractile signaling by resetting adherens junctions and cytokinesis furrow. How do cortical residence time of active RhoA. the cells then manage to convert transient cortical A. GTP-RhoA exhibits rapid diassociation from RhoA signals into robust contractile events? While membrane addressing this question, we have discovered a B. Anillin stabilises cortical GTP-RhoA by direct binding new kinetic mechanism, distinct from the canonical and also concentrates PIP2 pathways, that confers robustness to cortical RhoA C. GTP-RhoA is retained at the membrane after signaling. it unbinds from anillin through its interaction with The Rho family of GTPases are fundamental concentrated PIP2 regulators of cellular actomyosin networks and regulate D. Free cortical GTP-RhoA, that is stabilised by key aspects of cellular processes including cell division, PIP2, can engage with effectors to promote effective migration and invasion. Three members of this family contractile signaling. The density of anillin faciliates the that have been extensively studied are RhoA, Rac1 and rebinding of free GTP-RhoA to anillin causing the cycle Cdc42. Of these, RhoA is a fundamental determinant (B–D) to be repeated.

PAGE 8 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 Publications with Impact

of contractility, especially evident at the contractile anillin could stabilise RhoA, this would come at the cost zones of apical adherens junctions and cytokinesis of sequestering RhoA from its downstream mediators. furrow. RhoA is active in its GTP-bound state, which Provocatively, a theoretical consideration of single- confers conformational changes that allow it to interact molecule kinetics suggested that the paradox could be with downstream effector molecules, such as ROCK resolved if anillin could inhibit the disassociation of active and mDia1. Thus, RhoA signaling has generally been RhoA from the membrane after RhoA has disengaged conceived in terms of the mechanisms that control from anillin. Pursuing this, we found that anillin modifies its GTP-loaded status. These mechanisms include membrane by concentrating acidic phospholipids, activators that promote GTP-loading, guanine nucleotide notably phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), exchange factors (GEFs), and inactivators that promote which can bind and retain active RhoA at the membrane hydrolysis of GTP to GDP (GTPase-activating proteins; without sequestering it from its effectors. GAPs) and GDP disassociation inhibitors (GDIs). Together, these findings identified a new mechanism An important additional factor that must also influence – resetting of residence kinetics – to modulate RhoA the efficacy of RhoA signaling is its dwell time atthe signaling, that complements its traditionally understood plasma membrane – i.e. the duration for which active regulators. In our model, once RhoA is activated, anillin GTP-RhoA molecules can reside on the membrane to controls how long it is retained at the membrane to be able to interact with effectors. Surprisingly, we found signal by promoting its association with PIP2. This that active RhoA has a very labile intrinsic association opens up new avenues for the control of RhoA and with the plasma membrane, a property that could the cell cytoskeleton. More generally, this model can potentially limit its dwell time for effective signaling. This be understood as a template for kinetic scaffolding suggested that mechanisms might exist to stabilise that potentially applies to other signaling molecules RhoA at the membrane. Indeed, we found that the whose effectiveness depends on their dwell time on cytoskeletal scaffolding protein, anillin, had precisely membranes. We are currently exploring the cellular this effect. We showed that anillin was necessary to both mechanisms that can modulate RhoA signals at the stabilise RhoA and promote its recruitment of effectors cortex by regulating resetting of its kinetics. We are also for cell division and cell–cell interactions. interested in investigating the feedback from actomyosin However, this came with a paradox. Anillin can bind to cortical RhoA signals mediated by the scaffold, anillin. GTP-RhoA directly, but earlier studies established that Srikanth Budnar this involves the same region of RhoA as is bound by Institute of Molecular Bioscience its effector molecules. Thus, while direct binding by University of Queensland

Members of the team involved in this study. From left: Srikanth Budnar, Kabir Husain, Guillermo Gomez, Maedeh Naghibosadat, Amrita Varma, Suzie Verma, Nicholas Hamilton, Richard Morris and Alpha Yap. Genetic Stutters, Gut Feelings and Neurodegenerative Disease

Kong G, Cao KL, Judd LM, Li S, Renoir T, Hannan AJ*. Microbiome profiling reveals gut dysbiosis in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington’s disease. Neurobiol Dis in press. *Corresponding author: [email protected]

This study by Anthony’s Hannan’s group at the disease, either preclinically or clinically, it opens up Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health new possibilities to understand this disorder and together with collaborators at the University of develop novel therapeutic approaches. Melbourne examined for the first time the gut Huntington’s disease is a fatal degenerative disease microbiota in a preclinical model of Huntington’s inherited autosomal dominantly from a parent, in which disease, and found dramatic differences between molecular and cellular dysfunction leads to onset of healthy and diseased mice. As no such research symptoms commonly by a person in their mid-30s to has been performed previously in Huntington’s mid-40s, or sometimes even earlier... (five per cent

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 9 Publications with Impact of sufferers have juvenile onset). Dysfunctional and dying neurons, as well as abnormalities in other cells and systems, cause gradually worsening movement symptoms, dementia and eventually death. Huntington’s disease patients can also suffer from psychiatric symptoms, including depression. Huntington’s disease is caused by a tandem repeat mutation (a ‘genetic stutter’) in the huntingtin gene. Huntington’s disease is thus one of the most common of a large group of tandem repeat disorders, which include other nervous system disorders such as Fragile X syndrome, various ataxias, and C9orf72- associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is the most common form of motor neuron disease, and frontotemporal dementia. Family members who inherit the gene mutation will always get the disease and have a 50 per cent chance of passing it on to their children. The Hannan Lab at the Florey Institute Our team has, for the first time, examined the gut of Neuroscience and Mental Health. microbiome in a mouse model of Huntington’s disease, and found dramatic differences between healthy and Furthermore, the bacteria that live in the gut of mice diseased mice. This was achieved by isolating DNA are similar to those in the human gut, therefore such from faecal samples and performing 16S rRNA amplicon microbiome studies have direct clinical relevance. sequencing. The change in the gut bacteria composition These new findings by Kong and colleagues on is evident even before onset of overt motor symptoms. changes in the gut microbiome may influence the The research points to the urgent need for follow-up development of future approaches to delay onset studies in humans to validate the findings. Moreover, and slow progression of Huntington’s disease, which the study provides further evidence that the gut plays a could lead to new therapeutic options. They could lead significant role in diseases of the brain. directly to new therapeutic approaches for Huntington’s Gut microbiome changes have already been described disease. The study is also relevant to related disorders in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, autism, where gut dysbiosis has also been reported, including depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, type 2 diabetes Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The gut microbiota and other diseases, with researchers excited about can be manipulated in various ways, including via the the possibility that understanding the link between the administration of prebiotic and probiotic interventions, microbiome and disease could lead to new therapeutic and therefore this discovery may pave the way for approaches. Before we jump that hurdle, we really development of a novel therapy for this devastating need to examine whether these same changes are disease. seen in Huntington’s disease patients, and their gene- Anthony Hannan positive presymptomatic family members. Melbourne Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, researchers are actively pursuing these questions. University of Melbourne

Bacteroidetes Firmicutes

The first evidence of gut dysbiosis in Huntington’s disease. Kong G et al., Neurobiol Dis (in press)

PAGE 10 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 Off the Beaten Track

Written by former researchers who have now established careers outside of research, Off the Beaten Track is intended to give the readers insights into the range of alternative careers available to them. Authors describe the paths they have taken to arrive at their present career and provide a detailed description of exactly what the job entails on a day-to-day basis. Why it Sometimes Pays to Work for Money Chloe Warren, Science, Tech & Medical Communications

It’s funny how one of the last articles for this particular Luckily, I had a supportive supervisor who didn’t pressure column was entitled, ‘Why it Sometimes Pays to Work me to stay, or make me feel guilty for not wanting to stay for Free’. in the first place. I kept a blog throughout my studies I was actually half way through a lengthy email to the called ‘Let’s Try This PhD Thing’ all about personal and Australian Biochemist Editor, describing all the reasons professional development. I did it for fun and also for I couldn’t fulfil her request to write about my career (for sanity, and even though it didn’t gain a huge following, it free) in her magazine, when I realised I already had a gained enough of a following that I was invited to ‘pitch’ potential article on my hands. So here we are. Thanks for (i.e. suggest ideas for stories then follow up and write the invite, Tatiana! them) for a few magazines. I was active on Twitter, and In my current professional position, there is a very limited got involved in public open days at my institution, fully capacity on how much free work I can do. I don’t have a embracing the whole ‘science communication’ identity salary or a stipend, and so I am always looking at a work and all the volunteering and outreach that comes with it. day in terms of billable hours. If it’s not a billable hour, is it at least getting me closer to securing a billable hour? In other words, if it’s not earning me money now, will it potentially earn me money in the future? Unfortunately, it’s highly unlikely that writing this piece will get me any money. But I hope that it will at least be valuable to some of you readers: I know how desperate I was for some sort of advice or reassurance when I was thinking about leaving academia. The money mindset is not something you’re trained into when you’re studying for a PhD. It was a shock to the system to say the least, and I tried to deny its importance for a long time. When I went full-time as a freelancer, I honestly thought I was ‘just going to be a writer’. It’s taken a long time for me to realise that even though I’m a My PhD was tough (please find me someone whose writer, I am also a small business owner. I need to think PhD was not tough) particularly on my mental health, about things like marketing (what does my business and I would write and talk about this openly. Because offer and how do I let potential clients know this? how I loved talking to people and sharing those vulnerable do I find potential clients?), strategy (what are my long parts of myself, I gained a reputation for doing what I term goals? what small things can I be doing each did: communicating. When the end of my PhD rolled month to get me closer?), financial structure(can I afford around, I was recruited into a casual communications to subcontract? what is the value in this professional role at my university, and then another casual role membership or that piece of software?) and branding. managing social media for the science branch of a None of these things had felt particularly relevant national broadcaster. I should have been on top of the throughout any of my professional training, so really it world, right?! Unfortunately, neither of those roles came shouldn’t be that surprising that I feel a bit like a fish out with any sense of community or belonging. I performed of water sometimes. I suppose it just proves that the them remotely and as a contractor. I had no idea how learning never stops, no matter how far from academia much I valued my professional community and support your path takes you. network until I didn’t have one anymore. When both of I knew fairly early on in my PhD that academia was not those roles came to an end though, I was devastated. for me. It felt particularly unfair that I could work just as That’s the only lens through which I’d ever known to think hard as my colleagues, but if my results weren’t sexy about loss of work. Now I know: short term contracts, part enough then I wouldn’t be competitive for funding. I time gigs, and unpredictable workloads are just part and couldn’t handle the repetitive failure of my experiments. I parcel not just for the creative industries, but for many didn’t want what looked like a life of begging for scraps. professions in 2019. VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 11 Off the Beaten Track

I had always enjoyed writing but never thought that I could make a career out of it. I’m still figuring out exactly what a career as a writer looks like, but I can tell you it definitely takes more than writing. Like I said: I’m a small business owner. If you’re looking to get into a field like science communication, then I’d advise talking to other science communicators (Twitter, hello my old friend), but I also think it’s important to think about how people outside of science view the field. Out there (here?), science communication doesn’t mean anything. That’s a bit ironic, right? If you want to make money out of whatever aspect of science communication you most love, then you need to think about who sees that as valuable. All of this starts to It’s been two years since I had that particular rug pulled look a bit like a ‘business plan’, and if that is a terrifying out from beneath me, and one of the most important concept to you, it only means you’re learning. things I have done to increase my resilience in the face of this unpredictability is to move into a co-working Web chloewarren.com space. Today, I am surrounded by other self-employed Twitter @sciencechloe professionals who face similar challenges, and though LinkedIn sciencechloe we all have different workloads and different clients, we can still act as each other’s professional support network. These days, I combine journalism with copy-writing. There are lots of copy-writers out there, and I try and specialise in science, technical and medical fields. The journalism stuff is typically what people think of when they think about science communication, but unless you have a job in a news room or at least some kind of contract with a media organisation, then it’s difficult to make enough money to live off with journalism alone. With the commercial side of things, I’ve worked with universities, government organisations and engineers to help them tell their stories to whoever needs to hear them. Of course, I need to be able to write, but I also need to be able to find out who it is I am writing for, and what they need to know. This means I also need to be good at verbal communication (with my clients) and research. All of these skills were built on throughout my PhD, and I’m getting better all the time.

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VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 13 ASBMB Education Feature

The ASBMB Education Feature is coordinated by Nirma Samarawickrema ([email protected]) and Tracey Kuit ([email protected]).

Glycogen Builder: the Game Frances Broomhead, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University

Traditional games have been used in education for get detailed instructions across to students, a 3-minute generations, and offer pedagogical value in terms of instructional video, stop-motion style, was created by promoting active learning, collaboration and engagement the school’s Educational Development team. Game (1). In a first year Biomedical Science undergraduate unit instructions were shown on screens around the room at Monash University, a simple game called Glycogen whilst gameplay was in progress. Once groups ‘got Builder was designed to assist students in meeting the the hang of it’, there was some serious competition learning outcome to ‘Outline the process of synthesis observed, with cheers erupting when an elusive ‘6’ was and breakdown of glycogen’. rolled to incorporate an alpha 1-6 glycosidic bond to branch the molecule. After playing the game, one student commented, “By visually drawing and participating in the process, the activity really assisted in solidifying my knowledge on glycogenesis,” and another stated, “I was able to better understand it as it is very different from the things we usually do in class.” However, as with all models, there are limitations to the biological accuracy of the game; for example, the actions of the relevant enzymes are not subject to chance. Therefore, devoting time to reflecting on and critiquing this game was essential for building an accurate and in- depth understanding of these processes. This game remains a work in progress, with many groups able to import an overabundance of glucose. Furthermore, due to the scoring system rewarding branches over elongated chains, the glycogen molecules Students playing Glycogen Builder. grew in a more linear fashion than expected; therefore The game was played by students in their small group asking students for justification of this aspect will appear sessions (maximum group size of 26), where there are in future iterations of the game. ample whiteboard surfaces. With a cohort of 760 students With thanks to Nirma Samarawickrema, Kris Nagy in total, this game was designed to require minimal and Ester Villvanathan for their contribution in the additional resources, with the only new acquisition being development and implementation of this activity, and to a bulk order of 12-sided dice. the BMS1011 students for sharing feedback. Briefly, the game runs as follows. A large hepatocyte is drawn on the playing space (whiteboard wall or table) Reference by students. Glucose transporters are added to the cell 1. Whitton N, Moseley A (editors) (2012) Using Games surface. A central ‘free glucose tally’ is added in the to Enhance Learning and Teaching: A Beginner’s cytoplasm of the cell. Each team draws a glycogenin Guide. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. molecule on which to base their glycogen molecule. Students form two teams (2–3 team members each), and take turns rolling a 12-sided dice. Depending on the number rolled, they can import glucose into the cell, elongate, branch or break down their growing glycogen molecule. Teams had 15 minutes to build their molecules. Frances Broomhead is an Once time is up, the team with the most points at the end Educational Designer for of the game are the winners, with points scored for every the Biomedical Discovery glucose and branch incorporated into the molecule. Institute, Monash University. To enable teaching associates to effectively and quickly [email protected]

PAGE 14 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 ASBMB Education Feature

Making a Drama Out of Biochemistry Terry Mulhern, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne

The lights dim, and a hush falls over the audience. An Attenborough-esque naturalist appears on stage and invites us to come in search of ‘Aminos’. Two other performers emerge, hopping like kangaroos. The trio then explores how amino acids interact. Posture, gesture and vocal tone are used to personify the ‘negative’ glutamate and the ‘positive’ arginine. They elicit laughs and ‘oohs and ahhs’ as they draw us into their imaginary world. We are emotionally engaged. The Grand Finale of The Performing Sciences for 2019 is off to a flying start! Three weeks earlier, 27 Bachelor of Biomedicine students volunteered to devise short theatrical performances illustrating biochemical concepts. The science and performance, while other students suggest idea is this process will help both them and their what is working and what is not. Giving and receiving classmates understand this material better. feedback are key to the project’s aims. At the outset, participants received guidance on effective feedback from Sarah French from the Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education. Afterwards, we move from group to group, helping them refine their performances. The third session is dress rehearsal. Elements like Rinske lighting, music and cues for entries and exits are nutted Ginsberg out. There’s a great vibe. The stage is set for the final (left) and week. Terry At the Grand Finale, the theatre is bubbling with Mulhern. excitement. We know these students are stepping way out of their comfort zones, so to maintain a supportive atmosphere the live audience is restricted to participants. Everyone laughs in the right places and applauds enthusiastically. The performances are filmed, edited and then released to the rest of the class. Participant feedback over the last two years has been overwhelmingly positive. Students feel they understand the material better and cite enhanced confidence and presentation skills. Acting skills workshop.

First, there is an acting skills workshop – developed by Rinske Ginsberg from the Victorian College of the Arts and Xanthe Beesley from Union House Theatre. The students engage in theatre ‘games’ where they communicate with their bodies, building a physical ‘palette’ from which to devise scenes in the coming weeks. Most participants are theatre novices – but are having fun and have shed their initial apprehension. At the end of the workshop, they form small groups and discuss ideas. In the second session, each group presents a draft of their concept. We give feedback on aspects of the

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 15 ASBMB Education Feature

“Acting out the concept required us to build a There is something visceral about embodying science very deep understanding” – a kinaesthetic understanding that makes the abstract more tangible. We all share the physical context of our “Confidence, creativity and improvisation bodies and capacity for emotional response. We watch were all really important skills I feel like I the actors and we are engaged. We feel what they feel. strengthened in this!” That’s the power of theatre. They also say the teamwork engenders connectedness that is lacking in massive lecture theatres and online Reference courses. 1. Aston R, Mulhern TD, Ginsberg R, French S (2018) The Performing Sciences. Proceedings of the “I feel much more connected to other students Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics in the class, and definitely more engaged in the Education. Flinders University, September 2018. subject” The Performing Sciences is about more than science communication. The participants have moved beyond Associate Professor Terry Mulhern the cognitive to engage the affective aspect of learning is the Director of Teaching and and break the reason/emotion dichotomy that is imposed Learning for Biochemistry and between science and the arts. Molecular Biology in the School “I have acquired a new way of looking at things of Biomedical Sciences at the in general. This experience has simply been University of Melbourne. invaluable.” [email protected]

From the Whiteboard to the Conference: Scaffolding Conference-style Poster Presentations Jessica Gibbons, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University

In 2018, the availability of a large-scale, purpose- assessments. With the number of students and only one built active learning space provided an opportunity central computer, it was physically impossible to run for innovation within a 2nd year biochemistry-based group presentations in one session. Seeing opportunity Biomedical Science Unit. The workshops transitioned in the new facilities (a room lined entirely with whiteboard from small tutorial rooms with approximately 25 students walls), we decided to replace PowerPoint presentations and one teaching associate (TA) to a space catering with poster presentations, allowing students to develop for 144 students and a teaching team consisting of their verbal and visual scientific communication skills. eight TAs. We now had access to whiteboard tables, Over the course of the semester, students were required whiteboard walls and a room set up for collaborative to compile three posters: two on their whiteboard walls group work. What we lost however, was the capacity and one final conference-style, printed poster. to run our existing PowerPoint-based oral presentation At the start of semester, students were introduced to the concept of a scientific conference poster and were provided a range of resources from the library detailing the key features of a poster and its accompanying presentation. The teaching team also brought in example posters to show students a variety of ways in which to present information in a concise, visually appealing and informative manner. After each session, students were assessed and received feedback on key aspects of their visual and verbal Scaffolding scientific poster presentation over three sessions involved communication, in order to reflect layering key elements, building up to a full-scale poster and presentation. upon prior to subsequent sessions.

PAGE 16 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 ASBMB Education Feature

The emphasis of the first session was to generate a visual aid to support an oral presentation. In the second End of Semester Student Feedback session, topics were more comprehensive and we “I came to really appreciate [the poster expected more in terms of content, visual components presentations] as they prompted learning in a and scientific communication. This presentation also different way and enhanced my communication included a discussion component, where presenting skills” teams were expected to answer two questions from their “The whiteboard poster presentations are an TA. In the final session, students were required to compile interesting and enjoyable way to be assessed” full-scale, conference-style posters accompanied by a “The workshops, whilst a bit daunting at the start 15-minute presentation (see figure). This was followed by provided a good opportunity to enhance our public a 10-minute discussion session involving the audience speaking and presenting skills” teams and facilitated by the TA. On the day, students were given time to move around the room and discuss “The progression of workshops, particularly oral posters with other students, providing the experience of presentations, was spectacular and vital in helping a conference poster session. me be more confident with speaking to a larger Students reported that the poster sequence allowed group and as a person” them to develop their communication skills and built “I became better at public speaking thanks to all confidence in their ability to present. This was echoed the orals” by the TAs, who observed an increase in confidence and professionalism and by the third session, students were excited to present. Having now completed our second year of these assessments, we believe that by scaffolding the presentations from simple, core components up to a Dr Jessica Gibbons is a full, conference-style presentation, we have provided Lecturer, Biomedical Sciences students the opportunity to focus on individual aspects of Teaching, Monash University. this form of scientific communication, and the opportunity [email protected] to develop their skills and improve across the semester.

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 17 SDS Page: Short Discussions for Students Page

The Importance of Blue Sky Research Christopher Stubenrauch, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute

What is blue sky research? How do I communicate my blue sky research? Science can roughly be categorised into two types Whenever someone asks me what I do for a living, of research, and no I’m not talking about what will get a common follow-up question is When are you curing funded by the ARC and what will get funded by the cancer? or How long until you get the Nobel Prize? NHMRC. I’m talking about fundamental research and Obviously, there are a number of ways to explain the translational research. Fundamental research, which is importance of your research (one way can be found in sometimes referred to as ‘basic research’, is anything the December 2018 SDS Page article) and if you fall but basic. It is curiosity-driven science that is colloquially under the translational researcher umbrella, you may referred to as ‘blue sky research’, because the sky is find it a bit easier to do. If, like me however, you are the limit when it comes to fundamental research! Unlike more interested in researching the unknown because fundamental research, which does not typically have of your overwhelming curiosity, it may be a little bit an obvious application or commercialisable outcome, harder, especially when communicating to a person translational research builds upon various fundamental with a lay understanding of science. In my experience, research principles and translates them into something I have found that it is much better to explain what practical, from bench to bedside so to speak, such as the you hope your research will do or what you think the use of antibiotics or insulin. Confusingly, a third research downstream translational outcome will turn into, rather type termed ‘applied research’ exists, and is used to than become mired in the minutiae and jargon of day- solve practical problems in business, education, and to-day experiments. For example, if you are looking at medicine, such as How can I motivate my employees protein–protein interactions in pathogens, you might to be more productive?, How can I prevent bullying?, or say that you’re looking at new drug targets to hopefully Does genetically modified food affect human health?, but combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. I won’t talk about this research type here. If you are working on phage, you may say that you are looking into phage therapy as an alternative to What is the benefit of blue sky research? antibiotic regimes. Structural biologists could say that As humans, we have an innate and unique curiosity by characterising the structure of a given protein (drug that prompts us to understand the world around us targets), it may be possible to rationally design new and and how we fit within it. Some fundamental research more effective drugs that target your protein of interest. topics, including paleontology and cosmology, have Another, albeit much vaguer, way of explaining what no commercialisable potential, but are of incredible you do, would be to explain what fundamental research interest to the public at large. While translational is, i.e. satiating humanity’s innate curiosity about the research provides a tangible and clear benefit to natural world and our place within it. Because, in the humankind, fundamental research is just as, if not end, isn’t that why any of us study science and stick at more, important. In a 2018 article published in Science it? All children have this natural curiosity and sense of Translational Medicine, the authors reported that of wonder – we just haven’t lost it! Along the way, we will the 28 ‘most transformative’ medicines approved for add to the growing pool of knowledge and maybe even clinical use by the US Food and Drug Administration contribute an economically quantifiable translatable (FDA) between 1985 and 2009, 23 had origins in outcome for the investment made. fundamental research, with a median of 32 years from the first key fundamental discovery to FDA approval. So if you are asked Why should my tax dollars fund your curiosity instead of curing cancer? you may want to point out that most medicines, antibiotics, Chris Stubenrauch is a Research and vaccines were only made possible after certain Fellow in the Infection and key fundamental discoveries were made. You can Immunity Program at the Monash always make a better battery, but someone first had Biomedicine Discovery Institute. to discover electricity before they could work out how [email protected] to store electricity. While translational science may seem like the wisest use of tax dollar spending, without fundamental science, there would be no translational science.

PAGE 18 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 Competition: Unscramble

Presenting the latest competition for the members of ASBMB. All correct entries received by the Editor ([email protected]) before 9 September 2019 will enter the draw to receive a gift voucher. With thanks to Joe Kaczmarski.

Unscramble the following words to reveal the names of the plenary speakers, conference location and program themes for the 2019 ASBMB conference. The letters in the red boxes will reveal the answer phrase.

Scrambled Unscrambled

1. gcruredsvidyo

2. edtgneieing

3. nyiagl

4. edluntlmobl

5. cghilenlnign

6. celeowhenwgi

7. telaiwmango

8. onrneneoihc

9. byigoanlor

10. aueattleissrnwar

Answer: !

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 19 ASBMB 2019 International Plenary Speaker Profiles

Tom Blundell, University of Cambridge, UK Professor Tom Blundell is a biochemist and structural biologist from the University of Cambridge in the UK. He was a member of the team that solved the first structure of a protein hormone, insulin, and has since made contributions to structural biology of polypeptide hormones, growth factors, receptor activation, signal transduction and DNA double-strand break repair. He has been involved in drug discovery with many drugs moved to clinical trials. He has developed software for protein modelling and understanding the effects of mutations on protein function, leading to new approaches to structure-guided and fragment-based lead discovery.

Lingling Chen, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, China Dr Lingling Chen is a molecular and RNA biologist from the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, China. She developed methods for the genome- wide discovery and characterisation of nonpolyadenylated RNAs, which led to the identification of sno-processed lncRNAs and circular RNAs. She also showed that some sno-processed lncRNAs are conspicuously absent in people with the neurodevelopmental genetic disorder Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Wei Leong Chew, Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore Dr Wei Leong Chew’s team develops technologies that make pinpoint changes to genes, inventions fundamental to understanding and curing diseases. His work provided the first demonstrations of disease gene correction with CRISPR-Cas9 and insights into the immune safety profile of these new gene-editing systems. He directs the AMMM Programme that develops new technologies for advanced DNA-Read/ Write/Correct, co-directs the Molecular Therapeutics Programme that is the first DNA and RNA -targeting therapeutics development center in Southeast Asia, contributes to the GP-Write consortium in rewriting the human genome, and is the co-founder of Seven Therapeutics Pte Ltd, a company that makes safer gene-editing therapeutics. Dr Chew graduated from Duke University for his BS and obtained his PhD at Harvard Medical School.

PAGE 20 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 ASBMB 2019 International Plenary Speaker Profiles

Oon Chern Ein, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia Associate Professor Oon Chern Ein completed her BSc (1st Class Honours) in Biotechnology at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and furthered her doctorate studies in Medical Oncology at University of Oxford, UK. She then trained at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, as a postdoctoral fellow and now serves as a lecturer at INFORMM, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her expertise is on new targeted therapies in cancer with emphasis on tumour angiogenesis. In 2014, she won the Exiqon Young Scientist Award – South East Asia. Chern has received other awards including the L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science National Fellowship in 2015, the Union for International Cancer Control ICRETT Fellowship and National Cancer Council Cancer Research Award in 2016. In 2018, she was awarded the UK-based Women of the Future Awards – South East Asia and the National Young Scientist Award (Ministry of Science and Technology Malaysia) for forging new ground in science.

Wai Leong Tam, A*STAR and National University of Singapore, Singapore Dr Wai Leong Tam performed his PhD research at the Genome Institute of Singapore, where he worked on uncovering the bases for the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. Subsequently, he undertook his postdoctoral training under the mentorship of Robert Weinberg at the Whitehead Institute in MIT, where he concentrated on understanding breast cancer stem cell biology and cancer metastasis. He joined the Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, and the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore (NUS), as a Principal Investigator in 2014. He is an adjunct faculty member at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine in NUS, the School of Biological Sciences in NTU, and a recipient of the Singapore National Research Foundation Fellowship. His lab focuses on uncovering and interrogating the emerging paradigms of cancer stem cells, specifically in the areas of cancer metabolism, cell state transitions, and tumor microenvironment.

Li Yang, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, China Dr Li Yang received his BS degree at Lanzhou University, China in 1998 and PhD degree at Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China, in 2004. He did his postdoctoral training with Dr Sidney Altma at Yale University, USA, and then Dr Brenton R Graveley’s lab at University of Connecticut Health Center, USA from 2004 to 2010. In 2011, he joined CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, China, as a Professor and Group Leader for independent research. Currently, Dr Yang’s lab is focussing on integrating novel computational pipelines/algorithms with deep sequencing technologies to study a variety of new types of long noncoding RNAs, including circular RNAs, to uncover cross-talks between different types of RNA modifications/editing, and to develop new genome editing toolkits at single nucleotide resolution. Dr Yang has published over 70 papers in peer- reviewed journals, including Cell, Nature, Nature Biotechnology and Molecular Cell.

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 21 ASBMB 2019 Symposium Speakers

RNA Biology Dr Robert Weatheritt, Garvan Institute of Medical Research Dr Traude Beilharz, Monash University Professor Joan Heath, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Associate Professor Jackie Wilce, Monash University Professor Thomas Preiss, John Curtin School of Medical Research Dr Tamas Fischer, Australian National University Dr Katherine Pillman, University of South Australia

Gene Editing Dr Susan Woods, University of Adelaide Dr Sara Howden, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute Associate Professor Marco Herold, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Professor Merlin Crossley, University of New South Wales Dr Gaetan Burgio, Australian National University Professor Mike Ryan, Monash University Dr Tanya Soboleva, Australian National University Associate Professor Kaylene Simpson, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Drug Discovery Dr Maria Halili, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery Professor Philip Thompson, Monash University Dr Marina Pajic, Garvan Institute of Medical Research Associate Professor Kevin Pfleger, Harry Perkins Institute Associate Professor Justin Hamilton, Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University Professor Murray Norris, UNSW Centre for Childhood Cancer Research Professor Mark Wilson, University of Wollongong

PAGE 22 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 Melbourne Protein Group: an ASBMB Special Interest Group

Heaton, Blake Mazzitelli, Riley Metcalfe and Kristen Scicluna Another important activity of the MPG over the years has been to select a representative for the Special Interest Group speaking slots at ComBio. This involves a competitive selection process with assessment of an abstract as well as the overall CV of applicants. In 2017, we selected Phillip Pymm (Monash University), who presented his work on the characterisation of important HLA-peptide complex structures, and in 2018, our selected speaker was Christopher Draper-Joyce (Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences), who www.mpg.org.au spoke on his novel GPCR EM structure. Congratulations to both winners and their excellent representation of the The Melbourne Protein Group (MPG) was founded MPG at ComBio! in 2002 and has been an ASBMB Special Interest Last year was my final as a member of the MPG Group since 2009. The primary mission of MPG is to committee. I have been involved with the MPG since provide young researchers with an interest protein 2010 in various roles including Treasurer, and since science the opportunity to present their work in a formal 2015, as President. This has been a fantastic experience setting. This has primarily taken the form of an annual and I am grateful for the help provided by all of the MPG Student Symposium, though we have also held several committee members who have worked alongside me. I Postdoctoral Meetings over the last decade as well. would also like to thank the ASBMB for their continual In the last couple years, we have organised two very support of all of our meetings over the years. The successful student meetings. In 2017, this was held committee has changed somewhat over the last two at Bio21 Institute/University of Melbourne and was years with long-term members Jon Oakhill, Jason Howitt co-chaired by Michael Griffin (Bio21/University of and Daouda Traore stepping down and being replaced Melbourne) and Pierre Scotney (CSL Ltd). The meeting by Daniel Scott, Urmi Dhagat and Sarah Atkinson. was attended by 85 students and other scientists from More recently, David Thal, Emma Petrie and Chris across Melbourne. The program featured six student Langendorf have also joined. Long-standing members talks that were selected from abstracts as well as over of the committee, Pierre Scotney and Michael Griffin, 50 posters. We also had two keynote speakers, James have stepped into their respective roles as President and Murphy (WEHI) and Natalie Borg (Monash University), Treasurer this year, and I wish them, and the MPG the as well as a career development speaker, Karen Scalzo best of luck for their future endeavours. The next MPG (CSL Ltd) that culminated in a lively question and answer Student Symposium will be held at La Trobe University session. Our top oral award, the Tilley Prize, was given on 17 July 2019. to Steven Heaton (Monash University) for a terrific talk on Doug Fairlie the mechanisms of DDX3X-regulated antiviral cytokine Past President, Melbourne Protein Group expression. Poster prize winners on the day included Sebastian Broendum, Yilin Kang, Riley Metcalfe and Mwilye Sikanyika. Last year marked the 17th annual MPG Student Symposium, which was held at Monash University and was co-chaired by Sarah Atkinson (Monash University) and Doug Fairlie (Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute). Again, attendance was good with around 65 students and other scientists from across Melbourne present. As usual, we had six excellent student talks and 35 posters. The two keynote speakers were Erinna Lee (La Trobe University) and David Thal (Monash University). The day was rounded off with an extremely Keynote speaker entertaining presentation from our Career Development at the 2018 speaker, Janet Newman (CSIRO). The Tilley Prize was MPG Student presented to Gabriela Constanza (La Trobe University) Symposium, for her talk on the use of shark antibodies to treat urinary Dr David Thal. tract infections. Poster prizes winners were Steven

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 23 ASBMB Shimadzu Education Award Report

I Went to Orlando and Brought Back More Than a Disney T-shirt: What’s Trending in Education at Experimental Biology 2019

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular chemistry. These goals include the desire to improve Biology (ASBMB) annual meeting was held in conjunction students’ persistence and success in STEM and in with the Experimental Biology (EB) meeting in Orlando, college, to make research accessible to a larger and more Florida, in April 2019. EB is the annual meeting of diverse group of students, and integrate the teaching and five societies, bringing together more than 12,000 research efforts of faculty.” UREs have long been a part scientists and 25 guest societies in one interdisciplinary of scientific training, however the difference is this global community. It is the place to explore the latest cutting trend to embed such training in undergraduate courses, edge science in anatomy, biochemistry and molecular offering this research experience to more students. At EB biology, investigative pathology, pharmacology and 2019, many of the ASBMB education poster presentations physiology. Attendees represent scientists from focussed on their developed CURE with an emphasis on academic institutions, government agencies, non-profit the logistics of running the unit and the impact on students. organisations and industry. This multidisciplinary scientific Presentations were given by educators from well-known meeting features plenary lectures, workshops, symposia, institutions in the USA, as well as community colleges and posters presentations, on-site career services, and one from a high school. It is clear that the national call to exhibits spotlighting products and services integral to this action (AAAS, 2011) resulted in the spreading of CUREs professional community. nationally in the United States. These CUREs are now being extended in various ways including: engaging non- traditional students in undergraduate research (AM Barral et al.), forming networks of academics to share CURE resources (E Bell), using CRISPR and crowd-sourcing On a horse- in the undergraduate classroom (H Evans Anderson; drawn RC Burgess; JA Maki et al.), and incorporating big data carriage in into CUREs. Abstracts from presentations at EB 2019 New York’s (including those listed above) are available on the FASEB Central Park. Journal website. In Australia in 2013, Professor Susan Rowland and Upon arrival in Orlando, after being welcomed by the colleagues at the University of Queensland, developed warming 27oC heat (I had just travelled via New York with a model of authentic large-scale undergraduate research its maximum of 10oC), I was greeted by the overwhelming experience (ALURE). If you wish to embed UREs into Orange County Convention Centre, the second biggest your courses, you may wish to consult these resources. Convention Centre in the United States, after Las Vegas. Additionally, there are groups in the USA, such as This was my first real insight into the enormity of EB, the Biology Division of the Council on Undergraduate which was quickly revealed by the program which had Research, that offer support for those looking to integrate more than 50 concurrent scientific sessions and over CUREs in the classroom. 5,000 poster presentations. Throughout the next few days, various education themes were explored, but the one that dominated was the use of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). CUREs are inquiry-based lab courses offered in a credit-bearing standard teaching session. Additionally, they are inquiry-based, meaning that students participate Tracey in some level of decision making regarding the research at the hypothesis, methodology, data analysis, interpretation EB 2019 and/or communication; compared to traditional lab courses meeting where students follow procedures to find predictable held in outcomes. In 2016, Erin Dolan reported that “numerous Orlando, student-, faculty-, and institution-level goals have driven Florida. CURE development, especially in the life sciences and

PAGE 24 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 ASBMB Shimadzu Education Award Report

References EL Dolan (2016). Course-based undergraduate research experiences: current knowledge and future directions. Tracey National Research Council Commissioned Paper, beside Washington, DC, USA. one of American Association for the Advancement of Science her two (2011). Vision and change in undergraduate biology posters. education: a call to action. Washington, DC, USA.

As well as hearing some fantastic oral and poster presentations, I was able to present my own education research and receive some fantastic feedback and connect with our ASBMB colleagues in North America. No trip to Orlando is complete without a visit to some of the many theme parks. I had a fantastic couple of days exploring SeaWorld and Universal Studios, particularly exploring the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade with a ride on the Hogwarts Express. My children were very jealous! Thank you to Shimadzu and the ASBMB for supporting leadership in the promotion of innovation and creativity in education. Tracey Kuit is an education-specialist Associate Professor in the School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience at the University of Wollongong. She is also Deputy Chair of the ASBMB Education SIG. The Hogwarts Express at Universal Studios.

Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Inc PUBLICATION SCHEDULE FOR AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST, volume 50, 2019

Issue ASBMB Content Copy Deadline Issue Date

April 2019 50(1) Profiles of medal, award and fellowship winners Monday 11 February Monday 1 April Nominations for Executive/Council

August 2019 50(2) Nominations for medals, awards and fellowships Monday 10 June Monday 5 August Notice of AGM/proposed constitutional changes

December 2019 50(3) Annual reports/finances Monday 7 October Monday 2 December ASBMB 2019 reports

The Program for ASBMB 2019 (Perth) will be placed on the webpage http://asbmb2019.com.au/ The Proceedings of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is published in conjunction with the Annual Conference of the Society. The electronic version of the Proceedings (Volume 51) will be made available online.

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 25 Patenting Inventions in the Microbiome Space

A series of regular A therapeutic composition comprising a purified articles on intellectual population of germination competent bacterial property. In this issue, spores, in an amount effective to treat or prevent Sarah Hennebry, Patent …severity of at least one symptom of a dysbiosis, Attorney, FPA Patent associated with Clostridium difficile…, and i) augment Attorneys, explores at least one type of bacteria not present in the microbial patents. therapeutic composition in the mammalian recipient subject, and/or ii) engraft at least one type of bacteria present in the therapeutic composition but not present in the mammalian recipient subject prior to treatment. In the above example, the composition is defined Introduction according to the bacterial spores, but also the amount Over the last decade, there has been significant of the spores effective to treat the recited condition and investment in initiatives to improve our understanding achieve a particular outcome. In a different example, the of microbial flora in human health and disease. Projects Australian Patent Office allowed the following, very broad such as the Human Microbiome Project, MetaHIT, claim: METACARDIS and others, have resulted in an explosion A microbiota restoration therapy composition, in research, all of which continues to improve our comprising: a fresh stool sample from a human donor; understanding of the importance of the microbiome, not and a cryprotectant, the cryoprotectant comprising just in human health and disease, but also in other settings polyethylene glycol in saline at a concentration of such as agriculture and horticulture. This increased 30–90 g/L. knowledge has seen a surge in the development of new Even in the US, where there are certain hurdles to therapeutics and products, all relating to, targeting or overcome where the innovation relates to a naturally harnessing the power of the microbiome. occurring substance, it may be possible to obtain a The past decade of research and development in the reasonably broad claim to a mixture of bacteria. An microbiome sphere has also seen an increase in the example of a claim allowed by the US Patent Office in number of biotech start-ups dedicated to commercialising late 2017 is: new products and therapies in the microbiome space. For A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a purified researchers and businesses focused on the microbiome, bacterial mixture of six or more live bacterial it is critical to understand how best to protect their strains belonging to Clostridium clusters IV innovations. and/or XIVa, wherein the bacterial mixture induces Although patenting in the microbiome sphere presents proliferation and/or accumulation of regulatory T cells, patent applicants with particular challenges, it is wherein the bacterial cells are isolated from a human, comforting to see the number and different types of and wherein the pharmaceutical composition is patent claims being granted in this space. formulated for delivery to the intestine. This article considers the scope of what can be patented What is interesting here is that the claim covers a purified in the microbiome sphere in various jurisdictions and mixture of different bacterial strains, which are defined some of the jurisdiction-specific limitations that patentees only by reference to their functional properties and the need to consider. fact that they belong to certain Clostridium clusters. Even though the claim encompasses naturally occurring Patenting populations of bacteria bacteria, the claim is written to define a formulation which can be administered to the intestine. This should provide Possibly the first thing that comes to mind for most people some comfort to those who consider that there are no when thinking about therapeutics in the microbiome options for patenting in the space of naturally occurring space is the faecal microbiota transplant (FMT). How do products in the US. you protect a sample containing a diverse population of bacteria? The answer is that it may be difficult and it is likely that Patenting bacteria that are purified some processing or isolation of the faecal sample would Some Patent Offices (including in Australia, Canada, need to be defined in the patent claims. However, there Europe, China and Japan) are reasonably generous in are positive signs from many patent offices in relation to allowing claims to isolated strains of bacteria that have particularly broad claim scope achievable. For example, not previously been described (or were previously only the Australian Patent Office last year allowed the following known to be available in ‘mixed’ form). In addition, it is claims: possible in many jurisdictions to obtain claims for specific

PAGE 26 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 Patenting Inventions in the Microbiome Space bacterial strains. bacteria for use in treating eczema. Claim 1 of the US In circumstances where claims to naturally occurring patent is reproduced below: bacterial strains are permitted, it may be necessary to A method of treating eczema in a subject, comprising deposit a sample of the strain at a relevant institute (e.g., administering, as a spray, aerosol or mist, a the ATCC) and then refer to the ATCC accession number preparation comprising live ammonia oxidizing allocated to the strain in the patent application. This is bacteria, to the skin of the subject, in an amount so as to satisfy the requirements for written description effective to treateczema. (since it may otherwise be difficult or impossible to clearly While claim 1 is not limited to specific strains of define the bacterial strain using words). bacteria, these are defined in later claims of the patent. For example, in China, where it may be difficult to For example: reproduce obtaining a sample of the isolated strain, it The method of claim 1, wherein the ammonia oxidizing will be necessary to define the strain with respect to the bacteria is selected from the group consisting ATCC accession number. For example: of Nitrosomonas, Nitrosococcus, Nitrosospira, A variant of Schizochytrium sp. strain identified as Nitrosocystis, Nitrosolobus, Nitrosovibrio, and 2010-0321 and deposited at the Chinese Center for combinations thereof. Type Culture Collection with the deposit reference The method of claim 12 wherein the ammonia number of CCTCC M 2011024. oxidizing bacteria is N. eutropha D23, having ATCC Where the innovation relates to a genetically modified accession number PTA-121157. strain of bacteria, many jurisdictions, including the US, (Again, the reference to an ATCC accession number is EP, Australia, Canada and some Asian jurisdictions, will a cross-reference to a particular biological deposit made allow claims which define the new bacterium per se. at the American Type Culture Collection). Thus, it may be possible to obtain a broad claim which In an Australian example, the Australian Patent Office defines the bacteria by reference to the nucleic acid allowed the following claim: sequence introduced into the bacteria or the gene/region A method of treating or preventing a disease of the genome that has been modified. associated with a level of microbiota diversity that is reduced …. comprising administering a composition Methods of treatment comprising a bacterial strain of the species Blautia to a subject, wherein the A concern in the microbiome space is the difficulties hydrogenotrophica disease is in the US regarding the patenting of naturally occurring irritable bowel syndrome, one or more products, including bacteria. However, in most autoimmune diseases or one or more allergic jurisdictions, including the US, it is possible to obtain diseases… Thus, it is clear that in jurisdictions where methods of claims to the medical use of naturally occurring bacterial medical treatment are permissible, patent offices are species. granting claims directed to use of bacterial species in For example, a claim granted by the USPTO in relation treating diseases/conditions associated with dysfunctional to use of purified bacteria is: microbiota. Moreover, it appears that patent offices are A method of altering relative abundance of microbiota being generous in terms of the definition required for the in a subject comprising administering to the subject an bacterial species being administered and the scope of effective dose of a composition consisting essentially claim allowable with respect to the strain or species to be of substantially purified Verrucomicrobia; wherein administered. the subject has a disorder selected from the group

consisting of: obesity, metabolic syndrome, insulin deficiency, insulin-resistance related disorders, Medical use glucose intolerance, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver, Australia and the US are two of the few jurisdictions and abnormal lipid metabolism. globally that allow claims in the format of a ‘method of Patents directed to new methods of treatment in the medical treatment’. However, that does not mean that microbiome space can be wide and varied. It is tempting it is not possible to protect the medical use of a new to think of microbiome research and development to be therapeutic in a method of treatment – it is simply a focused on the gut microbiome, or on treating gut-related matter of your patent attorney drafting the claim with conditions. However, a number of research entities are the appropriate language suitable in each jurisdiction. also investigating the role of the microbiome in other Take for example Europe, where it is possible to claim a parts of the human body. therapeutic ‘for use’ in a particular method of treatment. For example, earlier this year, a US-based clinical Similarly, in China it is possible to obtain claims directed stage microbiome company announced the issue of a to the ‘use’ of a bacterial strain in manufacturing a US patent directed to the company’s ammonia oxidising medicament for treating a condition. For example, a

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 27 Patenting Inventions in the Microbiome Space claim recently allowed by the Chinese Patent Office is: of protection in those jurisdictions where patenting a Use of a bacterial species Roseburia hominis diagnostic method is not straightforward. Furthermore, in the preparation of a medicament for treating a while it may be difficult to protect a diagnostic method, disease selected from an inflammatory disorder, an there may still be opportunities for protecting a new immune disorder and/or an intestinal disorder in a product developed for use in a diagnostic method, or subject, wherein the immune disorder is selected from new kits for use in diagnosis. autoimmune conditions and allergies. Finally, it is important to recognise that patent law is There are some jurisdictions where use claims or method not stagnant – and change could be around the corner! claims are not possible (e.g., India and some other South For example, in the US, where patenting of diagnostic East Asian countries). However, your patent attorney methods has been particularly challenging in the last can advise you on the scope of protection allowable in few years, many parties continue to lobby the House each jurisdiction, and ensure that your patent application and Senate for a change in patentability standards. In is drafted to maximise the prospects of protecting your particular, it is recognised by many, that innovation in innovation in jurisdictions where protection is needed. diagnostic methodology provides significant value to the community, and hindering the opportunity for researchers Known drugs for new uses and companies to protect their innovations in this space disincentivises further innovation, which is not in the Many jurisdictions around the world offer protection public interest. for new medical uses of known drugs. This is typically Since this is clearly an area where change could be in recognition that enabling patentees to do so will imminent, it is important for innovators to ensure that incentivise the development of new therapies. Thus, they do not close the door to potential patent protection in the microbiome space, it may be possible to obtain for any new diagnostic methods in key jurisdictions. protection, even if the drug is known.

Still further, it is possible in many jurisdictions to obtain a patent to a new method of administering a known Think broadly drug, if it is being used to treat the same disease. When thinking about what elements of your innovations Take for example a drug that has previously only been you can protect with a patent, it is important to consider administered systemically via intravenous administration the full range of different subject matter arising from for the treatment of a particular condition. If a researcher your research. Patenting in the microbiome sphere is or company discovers that the drug is more effective not limited to new therapeutic products but can also when administered directly to the lower gastrointestinal cover processes for how those therapeutic products are tract (perhaps influencing the microbiome in that part obtained, tested, stored and administered, and devices of the body, and thereby eliciting a greater therapeutic for accomplishing the same. outcome), then it is possible in many key jurisdictions, to Moreover, therapeutics in the microbiome space need obtain a patent directed to this approach. not be limited to FMTs or populations of bacteria. Some Thus, when considering the opportunity to protect new companies working in this space are developing small- innovation, researchers in the microbiome space should molecules or isolated antibodies that specifically target also consider whether their innovations have resulted disease-causing bacteria while leaving the rest of the in identifying new modes of administration, new patient gut microbiome intact. The microbiome can also be sub-groups and/or new dosage regimens for treating targeted using bacteriophage or using CRISPR-based diseases, even if the drug proposed to be used is known approaches. New methods, and new products based on for treating the same disease. these different approaches to targeting the microbiome, are all potentially patent protectable. Diagnostics As discussed in more detail in a previous article, it Where to start? is also possible in many jurisdictions to protect new It can be challenging for those innovating in the diagnostic methods. In the microbiome space, it is critical microbiome sphere to navigate the complexities of to understand the opportunities for protecting diagnostic deciding what subject matter to protect, and how innovations, particularly given that characterising an to protect it. Discussing your options with your individual’s microbiome can provide key insights into commercialisation team or engaging with a patent their state of health and risk of future illness. attorney early in the process will help to ensure that Although it may be difficult to obtain claims to a diagnostic you have a developed IP strategy in place, so that you method in some jurisdictions, there are often creative maximise the opportunity to capture valuable innovation patent drafting solutions for maximising the prospects arising from your work.

PAGE 28 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours for ASBMB Members

Professor Alan Cowman FAA FRS was appointed a Professor Christina Mitchell was awarded an Officer Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to service to the biological sciences, notably to molecular medicine in the field of haematology, to medical education parasitology, to medical research and scientific education, and research, and to academic leadership. and as a mentor. Christina undertook a medical degree at the University Professor Cowman is Deputy Director – Science of Melbourne, and then specialty training at The Strategy at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Alfred hospital, Melbourne, in Haematology. During Research. He did his undergraduate and honours degrees her speciality training, she did a PhD in the field of at Griffith University in Queensland. He then moved to regulation of thrombosis by natural anticoagulants the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in under the supervision of Professor Hatem Salem. Melbourne, where he obtained his PhD in the laboratory She subsequently did a postdoctoral fellowship in the of Professor David Kemp through the University of laboratory of Professor Phillip Majerus, Washington Melbourne. He was awarded a CJ Martin Fellowship University, USA. Here, she purified a signal terminating from the National Health and Medical Research Council enzyme called an inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase

(NHMRC) for postdoctoral work at the University of that degraded inositol trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3), California – Berkeley in the laboratory of Dr Gerry Rubin which regulates intracellular calcium levels. She studying Drosophila eye function and development. returned to Australia and set up her independent He returned to Australia and took up a position at the research laboratory in the Department of Medicine, Box Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Hill Hospital, where she and her laboratory purified and developed a laboratory that studies malaria. cloned other inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatases and He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in delineated their phosphoinositide substrates. The team 2011 and the Australian Academy of Sciences in 2001. also went on to characterise how these 5-phosphatases He has received a number of awards that include the regulate phosphoinositide 3-kinase signalling, cancer Gottschalk Medal for Medical Science and Biology cell growth, metastasis and developmental disease. from the Australian Academy of Sciences, Boehringer- Her group also characterised inositol polyphosphate Mannheim Medal, Glaxo-Wellcome Australia Medal and 4-phosphatase, INPP4B and its role as a tumour the Howard Taylor Ricketts Medal from the University of suppressor in breast cancer and paradoxically as a Chicago. He has also received the Victoria Prize from the possible oncogene in acute myeloid leukaemia. In 1990, Victorian Government as well as the Mahathir Science she became Head of the Department of Biochemistry Prize from the Mahathir Science Award Foundation. He and Molecular Biology, and in 2011, Dean of the Faculty has been awarded a number of Research Excellence of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash Awards from the NHMRC. Currently, he has a Senior University. She is a member of the Australian Academy Principal Research Fellowship from the NHMRC. His of Health and Medical Sciences and the recipient of the work is aimed at understanding the function of proteins 2015 ASBMB Lemberg Medal. in Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most severe form of malaria in humans, and to use this information for the development of vaccines and drug targets against this parasitic disease.

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 29 Queen’s Birthday Honours for ASBMB Members

Emeritus Professor Les Copeland was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to agricultural science as an academic and researcher. Les is an agricultural chemist whose academic interests are at the interface between food science and agricultural production. Les graduated as a BSc with First Class Honours and a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Sydney, and after postdoctoral research on bioenergetics at Yale University and the University of Buffalo in the USA, he joined the academic staff of the University of Sydney in the Faculty of Agriculture. He developed and taught many courses in plant and food biochemistry, has been the primary mentor for 36 research higher degree completions and has published extensively in diverse areas of agricultural science. For the past twenty years, his main research interest has been on the effects of growing conditions on cereal grain quality, the chemistry of food grains, and structure–function relationships of food starches. He has also published extensively on the biochemistry of nitrogen-fixing symbioses of legumes, regulation of plant carbon metabolism, and the origins of the human diet. With the award of a Fulbright Fellowship, Les undertook pioneering research on starch biosynthesis during a sabbatical at the University of California, Davis, USA. Les has held positions as Head of Department and Dean of Agriculture, and he was the Foundation President of the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journals Cereal Chemistry (Wiley) and Agriculture (MDPI), a Director of the Australian Government Cotton Research and Development Corporation, and a member of the Research Advisory Committee of the Australian Farm Institute. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the recipient of an Excellence in Teaching Award from the American Association of Cereal Chemists International. Les has been a member of ASBMB (formerly ABS) since his student days.

PAGE 30 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 ASBMB Awards 2020

SOCIETY MEDALS, AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS NOW OPEN

Nomination or application forms for all 2020 Medals, Awards and Fellowships can be obtained from the ASBMB website: https://www.asbmb.org.au/awards/nominations/

Nominations or applications must be submitted no later than 31 October 2019. Nominations or applications must be emailed to the Secretary of the Society, Briony Forbes: [email protected] Please note that hard copies are not required.

There are membership requirements for all nominations/applications. These are outlined on the nomination forms available from the ASBMB website.

NOMINATIONS FOR MEDALS AND AWARDS

The Lemberg Medal is awarded to a distinguished ASBMB member who will present the Lemberg Lecture at the ComBio meeting. The Medal is presented in memory of Emeritus Professor M.R. Lemberg who was the Society’s first President and Honorary Member. The award will be made to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in biochemistry and molecular biology and who has made significant contributions to the scientific community. An honorarium is provided by ASBMB.

The Shimadzu Research Medal is awarded to an outstanding ASBMB member with no more than 15 years since the award of the PhD degree (or equivalent taking any career disruption into account) at the nominated deadline.The successful candidate will present the Shimadzu Medal Lecture at the ComBio meeting. An honorarium is provided through the courtesy of Shimadzu.

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 31 ASBMB Awards 2020

APPLICATIONS FOR TRAVEL AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS

The Eppendorf Edman ECR Award is awarded to an ASBMB member with no more than 7 years postdoctoral experience (or equivalent taking any career disruption into account), in recognition of their outstanding research work. The Award provides funds to assist the recipient to attend an overseas conference in a field associated with biochemistry or molecular biology or to visit briefly a research laboratory in Australia or elsewhere to access specialised equipment or to learn new research techniques. The recipient will give a talk at the ComBio meeting. The contribution to travel expenses is provided through the courtesy of Eppendorf South Pacific.

The SDR Scientific Education Award rewards outstanding achievement in education in biochemistry or molecular biology, especially innovation and creativity in education, with a view to fostering leadership in this important area of the Society’s objectives. The Award will enable the recipient to participate in an international conference with a significant focus on education, or to spend a period of time at another institution for the purposes of undertaking developments in education in biochemistry and molecular biology. The recipient will present a lecture within the Education Symposium at the ComBio meeting. The contribution to travel expenses is provided through the courtesy of SDR Scientific.

The Boomerang Award is awarded to an outstanding expatriate Australian biochemist or molecular biologist to allow them to return to Australia to present their work in a symposium at the ComBio meeting and to give seminars at universities or research institutes. This will provide the awardee with exposure in Australia and will facilitate interactions with local researchers. The Award makes a significant contribution to the cost of a return airfare and accommodation for the ComBio meeting, and towards domestic travel expenses to visit at least one other Australian city. Applicants must have been awarded their PhD not more than 10 years prior to the closing date (or equivalent taking any career disruption into account). The contribution to travel expenses is provided by ASBMB.

The Awards Committee will also award several ASBMB Fellowships to postgraduate students who are no more than 2 years prior to the completion of their PhD degree or recently graduated postdoctoral researchers no more than 2 years subsequent to the award of their PhD degree. The contribution to travel expenses is provided by ASBMB. The most outstanding ASBMB Fellowship applicant may receive the Fred Collins Award. These travel grants are awarded to early career researchers, normally resident in Australia, in recognition of their outstanding work in an area of biochemistry and molecular biology. The Fellowships provide funds to assist the recipient to attend an overseas conference in a field associated with biochemistry or molecular biology, or to visit briefly a research laboratory in Australia or elsewhere to access specialised equipment or to learn new research techniques.

PAGE 32 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 Election of Council 2020

Nominations are called for the following positions on the Council of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Inc for 2020: Secretary, Treasurer, Editor, Secretary for Sustaining Members and State Representatives.

The Council for the President J. Mackay # Eligible for period 1 January Past President L. Tilley re-election 2019 to 31 December Secretary B. Forbes# 2019 is composed Treasurer M. Kvansakul# of the following Editor T. Soares da Costa# members: Education Representative S. Rowland Secretary for Sustaining Members S. Jay#

Representatives for: ACT M. Johnson# NSW K. Quinlan# Vic E. Lee# Qld B. Schulz# SA M. Corbett# Tas K. Brettingham-Moore# WA M. Murcha#

State Representatives shall hold office for one year and shall be eligible for re-election for two, but not more than two, succeeding years. See the ASBMB Constitution on the website for terms of other Council members.

Nomination forms are available on the ASBMB website. Nominations for all vacant positions must be signed and seconded by members of the Society. The nominations must be signed by the nominee to indicate his/ her willingness to stand. If more than one nomination is received for any position, a ballot will be held at the Annual General Meeting. All members will be notified of any elections and members not attending the Annual General Meeting may submit a proxy form available from the Secretary.

NOMINATIONS MUST REACH THE SECRETARY BY 5PM 17 SEPTEMBER 2019 (14 DAYS BEFORE THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON 2 OCTOBER 2019)

Annual General Meeting of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Inc.

The 63rd Annual General Meeting of the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Inc. will be held in 2019 in conjunction with the Annual Conference of the Society in Perth. The venue will be the Fremantle Esplanade Hotel, Perth, on Wednesday 2 October at 1830 hours.

AGENDA 1. Apologies 2. Confirmation of the Minutes of Annual General Meeting No. 62 3. Results of Council Elections 4. President’s Report 5. Treasurer’s Report 6. Fees for 2020 7. Changes to the Constitution. Changes proposed and seconded by Council are highlighted on the ASBMB website www.asbmb.org.au/aboutasbmb/constitution/ and will be tabled at the AGM. 8. Any Other Business Briony Forbes Secretary, ASBMB

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 33 ASBMB Welcomes New Members

A warm welcome is extended to the following new members who joined ASBMB from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019

OVERSEAS MISS SARAH KERWIN MR JEROME LE NOURS MR CAMILLIUS EJIKE – MALAYSIA MISS YAOYING LU MS CHENG LI DR PAMELA MUKHOPADHYAY MR FUYI LI DR SARAH MYER DR SAW HOON LIM ACT MR TOAN PHUNG DR JOHN MENTING MS SALLY BUCK DR CHRISTOPHER SELLECK DR HAYLEY NEWTON DR MARIA CARRIN DR KAI DUN TANG MR SAM POPOVSKI A/PROF BEN CORRY DR MADARA RATNADIWAKARA MR HUGO MACDERMOTT- MISS MONISHA SAMUEL OPESKIN SA DR JOHN SCOTT DR SI MING MAN DR FATWA ADIKUSUMA MR SANJAY SHAHI DR NIKOLAY SHIROKIKH DR JAJAKUMAR BOSE MISS KAREN SHING MS LILY WANG MS ROSA COLDBECK-SHACKLEY MS JACINTA SILOVIC DR SIMON WILLIAMS MR RHYS HAMON MISS HANNAH SLOANE MRS LEILA HOSSEINZADEH MR KANG TAEYOUNG DR JULIE-ANN HULIN DR DAVID THAL NSW DR ADRIAN LEE MS MAI THAO TRAN DR MATTHEW BAKER MRS EBTIHAL MUSTAFA DR ILONA TUREK DR MARY CHRISTIE DR AJITHKUMAR MR BENJAMIN FORD VASANTHAKUMAR MR SIMON GOODFELLOW VIC DR DENISE WOOTTEN MR VENKATASAISANDEEP MR ADNAN ALHUWAIDER DR JENNIFER ZENKER INAKOLLU MR SALEH ALQUETHAMY DR QI ZHANG MR KAZI ISLAM DR WAEL AWAD DR WENTING ZHAO DR REBECCA LEBARD MISS SANJEEVINI BABU REDDIAR MS MARINA ZUPAN DR AIMEI LEE MS GUNEET BINDRA MISS TARA MCDONNELL MR WESSEL BURGER MS VICTORIA PRIOR MISS LI JIN CHAN WA MR LUKAS ROTH DR SRGJAN CHIVCHIRISTOV DR JESSICA BUCK MISS FARHANA SARKER DR MICHAEL CLARK DR RAELENE ENDERSBY DR DANIEL CZECH MR ABI GHAFARI MS SIYANG DING DR KAT IGNASIAK QLD DR CARINE FARENC MR BRADY JOHNSTON DR SRIKANTH BUDNAR DR JESSICA GIBBONS A/PROF PARWINDER KAUR DR YANNI CHIN MR AVANKA GUNATILAKA MR SANTANA ROYAN DR HARSHA GOWDA DR MICHAEL JARVA PROF IAN SMALL DR MARIA HALILI MR ALASTAIR KEEN MR RYAN HALL DR KATE LAWLOR

Forthcoming Meetings

8th Cell Architecture in Development and Disease (CADD) Symposium 1 December 2019 Centre for Cancer Biology, Adelaide, University of South Australia The CADD symposium series features studies on the regulatory mechanisms of the cellular architecture of eukaryotic cells with a focus on the role of the cytoskeleton in cancer and the nervous system. The keynote speakers are Stephen Robertson (Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand) and Jennifer Stow (Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland). The 8th CADD meeting is the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Cell Architecture Special Interest Group of the ASBMB and will be held as a Satellite Meeting to the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Neuroscience Society Meeting. Registration rates are reduced for ANS and ASBMB members. Submission of abstracts closes 30 September 2019. Further information www.eventbrite.com/e/cadd2019-tickets-66143702595

PAGE 34 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 Forthcoming Meetings

ComBio2020 IUBMB Education ASBMB 2019 29 September–2 October 2020 1–3 October 2019 Conference 2019 13–15 November 2019 Fremantle Esplanade Hotel, Perth Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Manila City, Philippines The conference is the biennial The International Union of meeting of the Australian Society of Early Registration and Abstract Biochemistry and Molecular Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Deadline: 26 June 2020 Biology (IUBMB) is devoted to (ASBMB). ASBMB 2019 will be held The conference is the combined promoting research and education in at the Fremantle Esplanade Hotel in meetings of the ASBMB, ASPS biochemistry and molecular biology Perth’s port city of Fremantle, which (Australian Society of Plant throughout the world by uniting is within walking distance of a range Scientists), ANZSCDB (Australia biochemists and molecular biologists of reasonably priced restaurants, and New Zealand Society for Cell in 75 countries. The 2019 IUBMB breweries, hotels and apartments. and Developmental Biology), GSA Education Conference is being run Plenary speakers include: (Genetics Society of AustralAsia) and in conjunction with the Federation of Asian and Oceanian Biochemists and is a molecular and NZSBMB (New Zealand Society for Lingling Chen Molecular Biologists (FAOBMB) and RNA biologist from the Shanghai Biochemistry and Molecular Biology). the Philippine Society of Biochemistry Institute of Biochemistry and Cell We extend a warm invitation to you and Molecular Biology (PSBMB). Biology (CAS), China. to be part of ComBio2020 to be The meeting theme is Harnessing held in the recently completed and Tom Blundell is a biochemist Interdisciplinary Education in and structural biologist from the spectacular extension of the MCEC Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. University of Cambridge in the UK. which offers the latest and state-of- Further information the-art convention and exhibition www.psbmb.org/iubmb2019ph Wei Leong Chew is a gene editing facilities. expert from the Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore. The program will feature a number of overseas plenary presentations 28th FAOBMB Li Yang is a computational biologist from some of the best international from CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Conference scientists together with a number of 11–13 June 2020 Computational Biology China. society speciality lectures. Two poster Colombo, Sri Lanka sessions are also planned. The Oon Chern Ein is a cancer biologist The 28th FAOBMB Conference scientific program of the conference from INFORMM, Universiti Sains will have the general theme of will include the themes: Malaysia. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology • Plant Biology for the Future Generation. Wai Leong Tam is a cancer biologist • Development, Stem Cell and from the Genome Institute of Regenerative Medicine Further information Email: collegeofbiochemistssl@ Singapore, A*STAR, and the Cancer • Proteins, Peptides and Structural gmail.com Science Institute of Singapore Biology (NUS). • Biochemistry and Metabolism • Cell Biology and Signalling The program will feature a 16th FAOBMB Congress • Genomics, Genome Editing and symposium from each of the 22–25 November 2021 Systems Biology Society’s protein Special Interest Christchurch, New Zealand • Evolutionary and Ecological Groups and a number of Society The 16th Federation of Asian and Genetics speciality lectures. Poster sessions, Oceanian Biochemists and Molecular • Infection and Immunity 3-minute poster presentations and Biologists (FAOBMB) Congress will • Education a E/MCR mini-symposium are also be hosted by five life science societies planned. The scientific program Further information from New Zealand and Australia. of the conference will include the www.combio.org.au/combio2020 Reflecting the breadth and depth of themes: the five partner societies, indicative • Gene Editing Conference Chair session topics include: computational • RNA Biology Jackie Wilce – biology; gene regulation and signal • Drug Discovery [email protected] transduction; genetics and genomics; molecular basis of disease; molecular Conference Program Chair Further information evolution; molecular microbiology; Mark Hulett – www.asbmb2019.com.au plant biology and biochemistry; and [email protected] Conference Chair proteins – structure, function and Nicolas Taylor – Registration/Exhibition engineering. The Congress will also [email protected] Sally Jay – [email protected] be preceded by a Young Scientist Program. Registration/Exhibition Further information Jacqui Roberts – www.faobmb2021.org [email protected] Email: [email protected]

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 35 Our Sustaining Members

Disclaimer The Australian Biochemist is published by the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular The culmination of years of Biology Inc. The opinions expressed innovation, the LI-6800 Portable Diagnostic Technology would like in this magazine do not necessarily Photosynthesis System is part of a to announce the exciting launch represent the views of the Australian new era of photosynthesis learning of MaxCyte’s new range of flow Society for Biochemistry and and discovery. The sensor head design electroporation platforms. Molecular Biology Inc. gives you automated control over all of The ExPERT instrument family the environmental conditions to which represents the next generation of the the leaf is subjected – temperature, industry’s leading, clinically validated, CO2 concentration, humidity, light, electroporation technology for complex and flow rate – for unprecedented and scalable cellular engineering. By measurements of plant physiology. delivering high transfection efficiency Improved plumbing in the sensor head, with enhanced functionality, the The Bead Ruptor 24 Elite bead along with tighter tolerances on gas ExPERT platform delivers the high- mill homogeniser is ideally suited for analysers and the CO2 mixer, are all end performance essential to enabling extraction of DNA, RNA, proteins and part of Rapid Sensing™ Technology. the next wave of biological and cellular small molecules from even the toughest These advancements unlock new therapeutics. of samples. The BR24 Elite is the research possibilities for you, including: most powerful and advanced bead mill MaxCyte’s range of systems include: homogeniser available today. Fast Survey Measurements • ATx: High efficiency and viability The Elite features a newly-integrated System achieves stability in as designed for research scaled touchscreen user interface which little as 45 seconds, for the fastest projects allows users to easily monitor and survey measurements of any portable o Can transfect from 7E4 up to control homogenisation preferences photosynthesis system – without 7E8 cells and is customisable with programmable sacrificing data accuracy or precision. • STx: Offers additional flow protocol settings for speed, power, time, Rapid Response Curves electroporation scalability for number of runs and dwell time. The high yield transient expression of Elite’s 8-gigabyte memory allows users A patented air flow division inside complex proteins, vaccines and to store over 100 protocol settings and the sensor head reduces diffusion and biologics includes a ‘quick-run’ feature and usage allows for a rapid exchange of air from o Can transfect from 7E4 up to tutorial. the leaf chamber to the gas analysers, 2E10 cells making new techniques like the Rapid Specifically designed for laboratories A-Ci Response (RACiR™) Method • GTx: Clinically validated and that require high throughput sample possible. scalable flow electroporation for disruption, the Elite’s optimised tube complex cellular engineering motion, with speeds up to 8 meters/ Integrated Gas Exchange and o Can transfect from 7E4 up to second, results in rapid and efficient Fluorescence 2E10 cells sample disruption. Unrivaled in versatility, the Elite is compatible with the The LI-6800 is capable of making o cGMP-compliant widest range of accessories, including simultaneous gas exchange o Established regulatory FDA an array of interchangeable tube and chlorophyll fluorescence master file carriages capable of processing sample measurements over the same leaf MaxCyte’s platform options perform volumes from 250µL to 50mL. Up to area, making it possible to study the identically, so optimised protocols 24 x 2mL samples can be processed role of alternative electron sinks and performed with the ATx can move simultaneously. more accurately estimate mesophyll seamlessly into clinical settings for high conductance. The BR Elite is equipped with a scale production without any need to re- sealed processing chamber, lid safety Contact LI-COR for more information optimise. interlock, and a convenient front-loading [email protected] For more information please contact design. An optional Cryo cooling unit is www.licor.com Diagnostic Technology available for processing heat-sensitive (02) 9986 2011 samples. For more information, contact [email protected] Capella Science on (02) 9575 7512 or www.diagnostictechnology.com.au [email protected]

PAGE 36 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 Our Sustaining Members

BioNovus Life Sciences • High content and unique David Antonjuk information Ph: (02) 9484 0931 • Label-free – non perturbing Email: [email protected] Web: www.bionovuslifesciences.com.au • Cells are viable – even after up to 2 weeks – you can remove your cells Jellyfish Collagen 3D post acquisition and continue their Scaffolds culture, perhaps isolate a specific phenotype... Jellagen® are delighted to introduce their new Jellyfish Collagen 3D Livecyte complements existing Scaffolds. Thanks to their new 3D platforms – no live cell imaging facility Scaffolds, researchers can now culture should be without the Livecyte 2. their cells in a way that mimics 3D living For more information, please contact organisms and also benefit from the ATA Scientific Pty Ltd following: (02) 9541 3500 • Innovative disease-free alternative Peter Davis to mammalian reagents Go Beyond Traditional [email protected] • Batch-to-batch consistency Microscopy... Livecyte 2 www.atascientific.com.au • Compatible with all existing cell Launches Mid-2019 culture protocols Livecyte is the only instrument for live • Sequence homology to collagen cell research that uses ptychography type I, II and V (ptychographic quantitative phase • Uniform pore size imaging) to capture images that measure the morphology and motion Jellagen collagen is a unique native of cells, without the use of labels collagen structure derived from jellyfish, and at scale. Optimised for long term, an evolutionary ancient chemical non-invasive monitoring of live cells, lineage and the root of all collagens. Livecyte allows robust automatic Thanks to the simple nature of jellyfish, tracking and behavioural analysis of Jellagen is a pure and native form of thousands of individual cells within collagen offering unique characteristics. heterogeneous cell populations. Unique Benefits of jellyfish collagen include: morphological, temporal, and dynamic • Non-cytotoxic phenotypic data make it simple to gain • Cleaner in terms of non-specific new biological insights. miRNA content compared to The much sleeker Livecyte 2, to be mammalian collagen launched mid-2019, is packed with • A highly purified collagen a bunch of new features and a savvy • Offers improved research elemental purchase structure making it productivity allowing security very interesting indeed. of product consistency and Livecyte 2 Dashboards, providing reproducible results intuitive representations of the complex • Manufacturing process is measured data, are automatically ISO13485 certified generated. Automated Individual cell Jellagen jellyfish collagen is available segmentation and tracking allows a as Research Grade Collagen and as 96 phenotypic fingerprint to be assigned well jellyfish collagen coated plates. to every cell within large and complex populations. Scratch wounds can be Research Grade Collagen is provided replaced with random motility assays as self-coating collagen solution which – thereby negating the requirement can be used for all existing collagen to insult the culture with a scratch, protocols and applications. It has imposing an unnatural cascade. also been tested in 2D culture with mammalian and human primary cells Livecyte 2 offers: to verify it is applicable for routine • High contrast imaging enabling laboratory cell culture research. segmentation and tracking plus Jellyfish collagen offers type I ‘Like’ and metrics for individual cells and type II ‘Like’ scaffold properties. populations

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 37 Our Sustaining Members

Visit www.bmglabtech.com or contact [email protected] to learn more. Liebherr Laboratory Freezer The 478-litre Liebherr Laboratory Freezer with electronic controller The CLARIOstar® Plus: (Model No. LGv 5010) is ideal for A New Generation of laboratories requiring a large volume High-performance freezer but have limited space. Microplate Readers Samples and reagents can be optimally stored between -9oC to -35oC, The CLARIOstar® Plus is equipped and temperature can be set to 1/10oC with BMG LABTECH`s patented accuracy with the electronic controller. LVF Monochromator™ technology, providing the best sensitivity and The laboratory freezer comes with 5 highest flexibility than any other Corning Cell Counter – fully adjustable shelves, 8 drawers and monochromator-based microplate Accurate Cell Counts in a 2 baskets allowing users to mix-and- reader on the market. Researchers can match the way they store their samples select any wavelength and bandwidth Flash and reagents. for any assay. For years, the choice between manual The force-air cooling system, highly The CLARIOstar® Plus now also and automated cell counting has been efficient compressor, thick insulation features the newly developed a difficult one. Manual cell counting, and eco-friendly plus energy-efficient Enhanced Dynamic Range (EDR) on the one hand, is accurate, but time- refrigerant ensures a stable and technology. This unique feature consuming and very user-dependent. consistent internal temperature. provides highly reliable results Automated cell counting, is much faster measured over the largest possible and less user-dependent, but the cost The laboratory freezer employs a of disposable counting slides can be an unique hot-gas defrost cycle to reduce detection range (eight decades) with no manual intervention required. Gain issue. A tough choice, but now there is ice-build up and defrosts more often a solution. and faster (in just 12 minutes) without is automatically set and additionally, compromising the integrity of contents. thanks to a rapid, full-plate autofocus, The new Corning Cell Counter is every sample is also automatically the first automated cell counter that Visual and audible alarms warn users detected with the ideal settings. combines the best of both worlds. It is: of temperature breaches, and an • Fast – thanks to its online image integrated data memory records min./ These user-friendly, walk-away processing: three-second Cell max. temperature and alarm events for solutions provide unprecedented Counts. 41 days. convenience in microplate detection. The most demanding assays are now • Accurate – thanks to its cloud- The keypad is equipped with a lock to significantly easier to handle, more based machine learning algorithm. prevent temperature and alarm setting cost-efficient, and eliminate the need • Low-cost – works with common changes, and a physical lock protects for multiple readings. reusable glass hemocytometer. against unauthorised access. The CLARIOstar® Plus has the No consumables required. The laboratory freezer can be option to equip the reader with an The Corning Cell Counter can perform connected to building management additional red-sensitive detector for a single cell count in less than three systems using RS 485 serial interface, those researchers who need the seconds. This is much faster than most volt-free alarm contact or with an very best performance in far-red automated cell-counting systems. It independent temperature sensor via fluorescent detection. The use of a uses a sophisticated Deep Neural access port. dedicated detector for luminescence Network for cell detection. This state-of- For more information: and AlphaScreen® provides the option the-art image analysis software allows http://www.liebherrprofessional.com.au/ to measure each detection mode with for optimal accuracy. It is also easy to laboratory/home the most sensitive photo multiplier use. The simplicity of the Corning Cell tube (PMT). Additionally, a UV/vis Counter allows anyone working in Online: spectrometer provides ultra-fast full your lab to easily count cells without liebherrprofessional.com.au absorbance spectra. the need of extensive training. Please home.liebherr.com.au feel free to contact us for a demo: Phone: 1800 685 899 These features, combined with exceptional reliability and free [email protected] customer support, firmly position the CLARIOstar® Plus as the instrument of choice for every laboratory.

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Clinical 200™ can be used for every step of the Building upon 40 years of experience Manufacturing cell manufacturing process. in LC technology, the new Nexera series is a family of UHPLC systems of CAR-T Cells ChemoMetec instrumentation is that marries these AI and IoT for Adoptive distributed in Australia via John Morris enhancements to set new benchmarks Immunotherapy Group. in Intelligence, Efficiency and Design. – Using the John Morris Group Web: www.nexeraseries.com NucleoCounter® Phone: 1300 501555 Email: [email protected] Instruments from Email: [email protected] Phone: 1800 800 950 ChemoMetec The NucleoCounter® NC-200™ provides robust and accurate determination of cell count and viability of T cells during adoptive CAR-T cell manufacturing. The unique Shimadzu’s New Nexera Via1-Cassette™ combines cell UHPLC Series sampling, staining and counting PHCbi ECO VIP -86°C Freezers Shimadzu has long been advancing chamber loading into a single step, the analytical performance of HPLC Available From Bio-Strategy followed by automatic image acquisition systems. At the same time, we The PHCbi (formerly Panasonic) ECO and analysis by the NucleoCounter® recognize that overall efficiency VIP -86°C Freezer offers environmental for increased robustness. depends not only on the performance friendliness in a sample storage solution Accurate detection of T cells, even in of one instrument, but on the with an optimal footprint. With natural the presence of erythrocytes, beads management of all devices within a refrigerants and the latest compressor or formulation reagents are facilitated lab. This realization leads us to now, a technologies, the largest 729 L unit by Acridine Orange and DAPI, which time in which AI capabilities have been runs at 7.7 kWh/day (set at -80°C, are already pre-loaded into the incorporated to allow devices to detect ambient temperature 23°C) and is Via1-cassette™. As conclusion, the and resolve issues automatically. said to produce less than half the heat NucleoCounter® system is ideal for The release of the new Nexera of standard models, contributing to adoptive CAR-T cell manufacturing. Ultra High-Performance Liquid significant savings in energy costs over Easy and user-adaptable protocols Chromatograph series, incorporating the lifetime of the freezer. allow performing cell counting directly artificial intelligence as Analytical VIP Plus Insulation provides optimal from leukapheresis as well as from Intelligence, allowing the system storage capacity while maintaining purified and expanded CAR-T cells to detect and resolve issues good energy efficiency and cooling using the same instrument. The Via1- automatically. The new Nexera series performance, while an EZlatch door Cassette™ is pre-loaded the two makes laboratory management simple handle offers ergonomic door opening dyes DAPI and Acridine Orange, by integrating IoT and M2M, enabling and closing. Controllability and data which avoid some of the problems users to easily review instrument log functionality are provided by the that lead to huge inaccuracies when status, optimize resource allocation, onboard LCD touch screen, which can bright field based counting is used. and achieve higher throughput. also be operated with a gloved hand. When counting samples containing The new Nexera UHPLC series Flexible inner shelving can be combined erythrocytes, pre-treatment of the maximizes reliability and uptime with with optional inner doors in a variety of sample with an erythrocytes lysing fully unattended workflows from start- arrangements for customisable sample buffer avoids the quenching effect up to shut-down. In addition, FlowPilot storage. A 5-fold gasket reduces frosting of hemoglobin. Afterwards, the total ramps up the flow rate gradually, of the inner chamber, even from repeat cell count and the dead cell count reducing the possibility of damage to door openings. are respectively determined by cell columns. Speak to your local Bio-Strategy staining with Acridine Orange and Equipment Specialist for further details. DAPI using the Via1-Cassette™. Intelligent self-diagnostic and self- The analysis excludes cell fragments recovery features include capabilities Bio-Strategy Pty Ltd and artifacts like micelles as well as that allow it to monitor pressure P: 1800 008 453 undersized events such as platelets, fluctuations to check for anomalies. E: [email protected] giving a highly accurate result. During Mobile phase volume measured in www.bio-strategy.com isolation of T cells, magnetic beads real time and integrated consumables may be used. These beads will have management, maximizes uptime, no influence at all on the cell counting reliability and efficiency. with the NucleoCounter® NC-200™. In conclusion, the NucleoCounter® NC-

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 39 Our Sustaining Members DAINTREE scientific AUSTRALIA The Spark® Cyto is the first live cell Daintree Scientific Australia’s range plate reader, for detecting biological, of QSonica Sonicators is available chemical or physical events, that with cup horns which offer indirect gives the most data possible from sonication and functions as a high each experiment, at the same time Benchtop Micro Physiological intensity ultrasonic water bath. Indirect under the same conditions. It does sonication eliminates the need for a this by combining three elements: the System (MPS) for Human- probe to come into contact with your flexibility of a high end multimode plate Relevant Cell Culture Studies sample. The ultrasonic energy is reader with environmental control that Given the flaws of animal research transmitted from the horn, up through makes multi-parametric measurement models and traditional in vitro the water and into a vessel or multiple possible; a whole well imaging system experimentation, Organ-on-Chip studies sample tubes. Multiple samples can that can collect information from all cells are becoming absolutely invaluable. be processed in sealed tubes. Indirect inside the well for 6 to 384 well formats They provide comprehensive, 3D sonication is most effective for very using a patent-pending laser autofocus tissue culture-based data and enable small samples because foaming system; and real time experimental real-time monitoring and analysis. and sample loss are eliminated. control which automatically activates a The PhysioMimix Micro Physiological Pathogenic or sterile samples are ideal procedure as soon as a specific data System (MPS) from CN Bio is the for this method as aerosols and cross value is reached. The system delivers perfect tool for teams who need human- contamination are prevented. multiplexed live cell data for each well relevant data as part of their research. The horn is mounted within an in real-time under the same conditions The PhysioMimix lab-benchtop device acrylic cup and the cup is filled with using a single instrument giving you can be used to perform single-organ or water. Sample tubes are placed in confidence in the statistical relevance multi-organ studies. Its open-well plate an appropriately sized rack at a fixed of your results. design enables the formation of three- distance above the ultrasonic horn. Other systems don’t provide real- dimensional micro-tissues that mimic Cavitation is produced in the water, time image analysis. Only the Spark® the structure and function of human processing the samples within the Cyto reacts to data while the image organs. Precise control of the fluidic tubes. acquisition protocol is being executed environment can reveal how multiple organs interact and respond to drugs or The large cup horn, for use with the to provide cytometric data in real time other chemicals. Cells and media can 700 and 500 watt Sonicators is supplied so that you will never miss critical be sampled throughout experiments for with a tube rack for eight 1.5mL tubes. biological events. analysis including biomarker assays, Additional racks are available [8 tube Spark® Cyto: real time measurement imaging to visualise cell morphology, holder, stem and cover (White), 12 designed to never miss a critical cell migration and protein marker tube holder and stem (for 0.5mL tubes) biological event. localisation improving the efficiency Black, 24 tube holder and stem (for in preclinical studies or industrial 0.2mL tubes) Blue, 8 tube holder and To learn more about this exciting screening that require reliable human stem Green (for flat cap), 15mL tube new product visit www.tecan.com. relevant data. holder, 50mL tube holder.] To arrange a demonstration call us on 1300 808 403 or send an email to Researchers in biopharma, academic The small cup horn for use with the [email protected]. and regulatory laboratories globally 125 watt Sonicator is suitable for are using the PhysioMimix platform sonication of two 1.5mL tubes or one to study primary cells, stem cells, 15mL tube. and organ mimetics including include Contact Daintree Scientific Australia liver, lung, gut, heart, kidney, skin, to discuss the QSonica range of endometrium and brain. PhysioMimix Sonicators, stocked in Australia for fast is also being used by the US Food and delivery. Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct Organ-on-Chip assays. For information please contact Murdoch or Moina Macaskill For more information contact AXT Daintree Scientific Australia Life Science Solutions: Web www.daintreescientific.com.au W www2.axt.com.au/CNBio-PM Phone (03) 6376 3335 E [email protected] Email [email protected] T (02) 9450 1359

PAGE 40 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 ASBMB Council 2019

PRESIDENT PAST PRESIDENT Professor Joel Mackay Professor Leann Tilley School of Life and Environmental Department of Biochemistry and Sciences Molecular Biology University of Sydney University of Melbourne SYDNEY NSW 2006 PARKVILLE VIC 3010 Ph (02) 9351 3906 Ph (03) 8344 2227 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

TREASURER SECRETARY Associate Professor Marc Professor Briony Forbes Kvansakul Medicinal Biochemistry Department of Biochemistry and Flinders University Genetics BEDFORD PARK SA 5042 La Trobe Institute for Molecular Ph (08) 8204 4221 Science Email: [email protected] La Trobe University BUNDOORA VIC 3086 Ph (03) 9479 2263 Email: [email protected]

EDITOR and EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE CHAIR OF COMMUNICATIONS Associate Professor Susan Dr Tatiana Soares da Costa Rowland Department of Biochemistry and Institute for Teaching and Learning Genetics Innovation (ITaLI) La Trobe Institute for Molecular University of Queensland Science ST LUCIA QLD 4072 La Trobe University Ph (07) 3365 3089 BUNDOORA VIC 3086 Email: [email protected] Ph (03) 9479 2227 Email: [email protected]

FAOBMB REPRESENTATIVE SECRETARY FOR Associate Professor Terrence SUSTAINING MEMBERS Piva Sally Jay School of Medical Sciences c/- ASBMB National Office RMIT University, PO Box 71 PO Box 2331 BUNDOORA VIC 3083 KENT TOWN SA 5071 Ph (03) 9925 6503 Ph (08) 8362 0009 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

VOL 50 NO 2 AUGUST 2019 AUSTRALIAN BIOCHEMIST PAGE 41 Directory

COUNCIL FOR STATE SPECIAL INTEREST 2019 REPRESENTATIVES GROUPS PRESIDENT AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY ADELAIDE PROTEIN GROUP Professor Joel Mackay Dr Matthew Johnson Chair: Erin Brazel School of Life and Environmental Sciences Research School of Biology University of Adelaide University of Sydney Australian National University ADELAIDE SA 5005 SYDNEY NSW 2006 ACTON ACT 2601 Ph (08) 8313 8259 Ph (02) 9351 3906 Ph (02) 6127 0049 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] AUSTRALIAN YEAST GROUP PAST PRESIDENT NEW SOUTH WALES Chair: Dr Alan Munn Professor Leann Tilley Dr Kate Quinlan Griffith University Gold Coast Department of Biochemistry and Molecular School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular SOUTHPORT QLD 9726 Biology Sciences Ph (07) 5552 9307 University of Melbourne University of New South Wales Email: [email protected] PARKVILLE VIC 3010 SYDNEY 2052 NSW Ph (03) 8344 2227 Ph (02) 9385 8586 BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Chair: Dr Nirma Samarawickrema Monash University TREASURER QUEENSLAND CLAYTON VIC 3800 Associate Professor Marc Kvansakul Dr Benjamin Schulz Ph (03) 9902 0295 Department of Biochemistry and Genetics School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences Email: [email protected] La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science University of Queensland La Trobe University ST LUCIA QLD 4072 CELL ARCHITECTURE BUNDOORA VIC 3086 Ph (07) 3365 4875 Chair: Associate Professor Thomas Fath Ph (03) 9479 2263 Email: [email protected] Dementia Research Centre Email: [email protected] Macquarie University SOUTH AUSTRALIA NORTH RYDE NSW 2109 SECRETARY Dr Mark Corbett Email: [email protected] Professor Briony Forbes Adelaide Medical School Medicinal Biochemistry University of Adelaide MELBOURNE PROTEIN GROUP Flinders University NORTH ADELAIDE SA 5006 President: Dr Pierre Scotney BEDFORD PARK SA 5042 Ph (08) 8161 6272 CSL Limited, Bio21 Institute Ph (08) 8204 4221 Email: [email protected] PARKVILLE VIC 3010 Email: [email protected] Ph (03) 9389 2076 TASMANIA Email: [email protected] EDITOR and Dr Kate Brettingham-Moore CHAIR OF COMMUNICATIONS School of Medicine METABOLISM AND MOLECULAR Dr Tatiana Soares da Costa University of Tasmania MEDICINE GROUP Department of Biochemistry and Genetics HOBART TAS 7008 Chair: Dr Nigel Turner La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science Ph (03) 6226 4609 UNSW Sydney La Trobe University Email: [email protected] KENSINGTON NSW 2052 BUNDOORA VIC 3086 Ph (02) 9385 2548 Ph (03) 9479 2227 VICTORIA Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Dr Erinna Lee Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute PERTH PROTEIN GROUP EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVE 145 Studley Rd Chair: Associate Professor Joshua Mylne Associate Professor Susan Rowland HEIDELBERG VIC 3084 University of Western Australia Institute for Teaching and Learning Ph (03) 9496 5726 PERTH WA 6009 Innovation (ITaLI) Email: [email protected] Ph (08) 6488 4415 University of Queensland Email: [email protected] ST LUCIA QLD 4072 WESTERN AUSTRALIA Ph (07) 3365 3089 Dr Monika Murcha QUEENSLAND PROTEIN GROUP Email: [email protected] ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Chair: Dr Brett Collins Biology Institute for Molecular Bioscience, UQ FAOBMB REPRESENTATIVE University of Western Australia ST LUCIA QLD 4072 Associate Professor Terrence Piva CRAWLEY WA 6009 Ph (07) 3346 2043 School of Medical Sciences Ph (08) 6488 1749 Email: [email protected] RMIT University, PO Box 71 Email: [email protected] BUNDOORA VIC 3083 RNA NETWORK AUSTRALASIA Ph (03) 9925 6503 ASBMB NATIONAL OFFICE Chair: Dr Archa Fox Email: [email protected] PO Box 2331 Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research KENT TOWN SA 5071 NEDLANDS WA 6009 SECRETARY FOR Ph (08) 8362 0009 Ph (08) 6151 0762 SUSTAINING MEMBERS Fax (08) 8362 0009 Email: [email protected] Sally Jay Email: [email protected] c/- ASBMB National Office http://www.asbmb.org.au SYDNEY PROTEIN GROUP PO Box 2331 President: Dr Liza Cubeddu KENT TOWN SA 5071 University of Western Sydney Ph (08) 8362 0009 COPY DEADLINE FOR PENRITH NSW 2751 Email: [email protected] NEXT ISSUE: Ph (02) 4620 3343 Email: [email protected] Monday 7 October 2019

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