ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013 Copies of this annual report are available on QIMR’s website at www.qimr.edu.au/annualreport and by contacting QIMR on (07) 3362 0222, freecall 1800 993 000 or by emailing [email protected].
Queensland Institute of Medical Research 300 Herston Road, Herston, Queensland Australia 4006 T: +61 7 3362 0222 F: +61 7 3362 0102 W: www.qimr.edu.au
QIMR is committed to providing accessible services to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. If you have difficulty in understanding the annual report, you can contact us on (07) 3362 0222 and the Institute will arrange an interpreter to communicate the report to you.
ISSN 1839 – 1877
© Queensland Institute of Medical Research 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 2012-13
CONTENTS
Letter of compliance ...... 3 Our performance ...... 28
Highlights ...... 4 Our research achievements .... 43
Awards and achievements ...... 5 Supporting our research ...... 64
QIMR at a glance ...... 6 Financial statements ...... 66
Message from Patron ...... 9 Supporting information ...... 102 Awards ...... 102 ...... Chairman’s report 10 Lectures ...... 104 Patents ...... 112 Director’s report ...... 11 Grants and funding ...... 114 Our organisation ...... 12 QIMR Fellows ...... 116 Publications ...... 117 Our governance ...... 18 Compliance checklist ...... 148 Our management ...... 25 Glossary/Acronyms ...... 150 Page 2 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 LETTER OF COMPLIANCE
30 August 2013
The Honourable Lawrence Springborg MP Minister of Health Parliament House BRISBANE QLD 4000
Dear Minister
I am pleased to present the Annual Report 2012–2013 and financial statements for the Council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research.
I certify that this Annual Report complies with: • the prescribed requirements of the Financial Accountability Act 2009 and the Financial and Performance Management Standard 2009, and
• the detailed requirements set out in the Annual report requirements for Queensland Government agencies.
A checklist outlining annual reporting requirements can be found on the final pages of this Annual Report or accessed at our website:
http://www.qimr.edu.au/annualreport
Yours sincerely
THE HON PAUL de JERSEY AC Chair QIMR Council
300 Herston Road, Herston Q 4006 Australia | QIMR Locked Bag 2000, Royal Brisbane Hospital Q 4029 T (617) 3362 0222 F (617) 3362 0111 W www.qimr.edu.au
Page 3 RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
CANCER
Developed EphA3-targeted therapeutics for clinical Published for the first time an association between trials in leukaemia. human papilloma viral load and risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Showed that the prevalence of weekend sunburn is still high in Queensland especially in young male adults. Identified 49 genetic polymorphisms associated with risk of breast cancer. Published evidence from a randomised trial that sunscreen can slow the prevention of skin photoaging Identified nine new ovarian cancer risk loci. changes. Developed novel tissue-based biomarkers for Developed models to predict the incidence of lymphoma. oesophageal adenocarcinoma in the Australian Completed the largest and most comprehensive population. genetic analysis of melanomas of unknown primary (MUP), revealing insights into the origin of this rare subset of tumours.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Developed new diagnostics for parasitic diseases, Completed preclinical studies on the prophylactic including malaria, scabies and helminths. vaccine for human cytomegalovirus to prevent birth defects. Used experimental human blood stage malaria challenge system for developing new drugs and Successfully completed clinical testing of a new vaccines for malaria. diagnostic test to predict cytomegalovirus-associated complications in transplant patients. Developed a novel protein inhibitor of HIV called nullbasic which provides excellent protection from infection in human cells in vitro. Completed a five-year longitudinal study of schistosomiasis transmission in an endemic area in Schuan Province, China. Carried out the first release of Wolbachia for dengue control in Vietnam.
Page 4 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 MENTAL HEALTH / COMPLEX DISORDERS
Created an imaging test for major depression. Led advances in understanding genes contributing to risk for endometriosis by finding novel genomic regions Detected biomarker for risk of bipolar disorder. associated with risk, demonstrating that the genetic Identified 10 loci influencing allergic sensitisation. factors underlying disease are similar in European and Japanese populations. Identified an additional regulatory variant in the IL6R gene that associates with asthma risk. Reported five novel risk loci for migraine. Demonstrated a role for diabetes as a risk Identified a genetic variant in the obesity gene FTO factor for severe hepatic fibrosis in patients with which confers risk of melanoma. haemochromatosis. Developed a new diagnostic test for cerebral palsy.
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
QIMR Senior Scientist and head of the Institute’s Cancer and Population Studies Group, Professor Adele Green AC was awarded Queensland Australian of the Year.
Awarded $2.4 million for a NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for Oesophageal Cancer.
Dr Motoko Koyama was awarded the Research Australia Discovery Award for her work into the role of dendritic cells in Graft-versus-host disease.
Officially opening QIMR’s new research facility after two years of construction, in December 2012.
QIMR was ranked the highest medical research institute in Australia, according to the Nature Publishing Index 2012 Asia-Pacific.
Page 5 AT A GLANCE
RESEARCH AGREEMENTS Research service agreements Clinical trial agreements Intellectual property agreements Others
PATENT PORTFOLIO
New treatment patents
Vaccine patents
Delivery platforms patents
Diagnostic patents
Drug target patents
Medical device patents
Page 6 QIMR Annual Report 2010–20112012–2013 20
NHMRC GRANTS 15 AWARDED ($ MILLIONS) 10 $MILLIONS
* NHMRC grants and fellowships were announced 5 in late 2012 for funding commencing in 2013
0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 YEAR Grants
700 SCIENTIFIC 600 PUBLICATIONS 500 400
300 PUBLICATIONS 200
100
0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 YEAR Articles High Impact (publications in journals with impact factors of 10 or more)
700 STAFF NUMBERS 600 500
400
STAFF 300
200
100
0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 YEAR Staff Students
Page 7 MESSAGE FROM OUR PATRON
QIMR Director and CEO Professor Frank Gannon, Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AC, water memory artist Judy Watson and Queensland Minister for Health The Honourable Lawrence Springborg MP.
Page 8 QIMR Annual Report 2010–20112012–2013 QIMR 2012-2013 Annual Report; Patron’s Message
Every day, thousands of people drive or walk past QIMR’s buildings in Herston, near the centre of Brisbane, unaware that they are passing a distinguised and internationally - acclaimed research institution that is a major part of Queensland’s ever-growing knowledge infrastructure.
Within QIMR’s walls and behind its anonymous windows, there is research and translational activity underway that has the potential to change lives and communities for the better through discoveries that improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases. The following pages report with quiet pride on the crucial work that QIMR has been pursuing in the past twelve months in pursuit of that admirable goal.
This Annual Report, of necessity, uses highly technical language to describe in detail the many and varied research sectors in which QIMR is active, and the organisation’s achievements in these areas. However, any lay person perusing its pages will quickly understand the relevance of QIMR’s work because many of the diseases it targets are regularly subjects of discussion with family, friends and colleagues, and in the media. Ovarian, breast and oesophageal cancers, HIV, asthma, anorexia and dementia constitute but a few of the conditions that were the focus of QIMR’s endeavours in 2012- 2013.
This work is carried out with the support of QIMR’s partnerships, connections and networks with hospitals and other medical institutions in Queensland, and with health research professionals from all over Australia and internationally. This network is an invisible and invaluable asset for QIMR and for Queensland. It is the key to QIMR’s influence on the national and global level and also an important source of knowledge and ideas that, ultimately, will benefit our State.
QIMR is now supported in its work by new, state-of-the-art facilities at Herston, opened in December 2012 by the philanthropist Mr Chuck Feeney, whose generosity played a major role in making the new building possible. I take this opportunity to thank Mr Feeney and all those who supported the construction of this wonderful new asset for QIMR. I was pleased, in April this year, to unveil yet another kind of asset for QIMR – Judy Watson’s striking art work water memory in the foyer of the new building, which provides a powerful reminder to passers-by of the power and legacy of knowledge, both traditional and new, in that place.
I thank the Council and the CEO of QIMR, Professor Frank Gannon, other members of the senior executive, scientists, support staff and research students for their untiring efforts in 2012-2013, on behalf of the Queensland community. Their endeavours have kept QIMR at the forefront of efforts to unlock the stubborn secrets of illnesses that pose enormous challenges to health professionals and health infrastructure in Queensland, more broadly in Australia, and more broadly still in developed and developing countries.
It is cause for pride among Queenslanders that we have an institution of the status and national and international reach of QIMR in our State, and cause also for continuing government, corporate and philanthropic support of QIMR’s vital work. I congratulate QIMR on its achievements in 2012-2013 and wish the institution continuing success in years to come.
Penelope Wensley AC Governor of Queensland and Patron, QIMR
Page 9 CHAIR’S REPORT
It has been another extraordinary year of advances for QIMR, by the Queensland Health Minister, the Honourable Lawrence in terms of research produced, collaborations formed, and Springborg MP. The alliance between QIMR, The University facilities available for our world-class scientists. of Queensland (UQ), Metro North Hospital and Health Service through Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and Many of our scientists are now established in the new Queensland University of Technology (QUT) will drive vital 15 floor building linking the Bancroft Centre and the Clive imaging research reform. Berghofer Cancer Research Centre. It was made possible by the generous support of Mr Chuck Feeney and The Atlantic In December, QIMR and UQ also signed an historic strategic Philanthropies and funding from the Commonwealth and alliance with Emory University (Georgia, USA) to collaborate State governments. The official opening by Mr Feeney in on new drugs and vaccines for cancer and infectious December was a day of great celebration for QIMR and an diseases. The Queensland Emory Development (QED) opportunity to say thank you to a man who has made such Alliance will build on existing, smaller-scale collaborative an enormous difference to medical research, not only in relationships between the three institutions to generate Queensland, but around the world. exciting new commercial opportunities from drug and biological research. Meanwhile, the refitting of the Bancroft Centre continues apace, as laboratories are upgraded and refitted. Scientists QIMR’s signature fundraising event, the Rio Tinto Ride to will begin moving into those updated facilities in the Conquer Cancer, goes from strength to strength. The second months ahead. annual event in August last year saw more than 1500 riders and almost 300 crew members raise an extraordinary $5.2 In April we also unveiled the extraordinary art installation in million for the Institute’s cancer program. Preparations are the foyer of our new building. Acclaimed indigenous artist well underway for the third Ride in August 2013. Judy Watson’s water memory recognises and embraces the links between traditional knowledge and modern QIMR also launched a sister event in 2013: the Weekend medical research. It is both a striking feature and a reference to End Women’s Cancers. Proceeds from the two-day 60 to the many histories of the QIMR site, and the water kilometre walk in October will be shared with the Royal connecting them all. We thank QIMR Patron and Queensland Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. The enormous community Governor, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AC and support for this event in its inaugural year is yet another the Queensland Health Minister, the Honourable Lawrence reassuring sign of QIMR’s reputation for research excellence, Springborg MP and our supporters for attending the and its importance to the broader community. official opening. Christopher Coyne It was an important year for new scientific collaborations. The ACTING CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL OF THE $22 million Herston Imaging Research Facility (HIRF) took a QUEENSLAND INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH major step forward in May with a signing ceremony witnessed (to 20 June 2013)
While still very new to QIMR, I consider it an enormous I take this opportunity to thank Mr Christopher Coyne and privilege to chair the distinguished Council of this highly Professor Bryan Campbell who were respectively Chairman respected medical research institute. Its reputation for and Deputy Chairman in the interim period. scientific excellence is of a global dimension. I look forward to working with them and other members of As all Queenslanders are proud of their internationally Council in the years ahead. renowned Queensland Institute, as a Queenslander I am very proud now to lead it. Chief Justice Paul de Jersey CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL OF THE QUEENSLAND INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH (from 20 June 2013)
Page 10 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 DIRECTOR’S REPORT
I am pleased to report that QIMR’s world-class research around the world, and it was both an honour and a pleasure continues to grow and make a real difference to Queensland, to have him lead the official proceedings at the opening Australia and the world. ceremony. Mr Feeney is notorious for his desire to avoid the limelight and media attention. It is a measure of the For the second year running, we have been named the special place QIMR holds for Mr Feeney that he agreed to highest ranked medical research institute in Australia. attend the opening ceremony: a first in a very long career That independent ranking is based on the numbers of of philanthropy. studies we have had published in the prestigious Nature scientific journals. This is testament to the quality of QIMR also celebrated the completion of the QIMR research research underway at QIMR. We have more than 500 faculty reorganisation and the recruitment of a number of scientists working on cancer, infectious diseases and new research groups, including those of Professor Mark mental health and complex disorders. They are making their Smyth, Dr Michelle Teng, Dr Stacey Edwards, Dr Juliet mark and making a difference by producing research with French, Dr Nicole Cloonan, Dr Jason Mulvenna and Dr consequences. A striking indication of their abilities, is that Andreas Moller. on average, QIMR researchers published over two articles per work day and attended over three international speaking Finally, I’d like to take a moment to remember a man who invitations per week over the course of 2012-13. played such a big role in establishing the foundations for QIMR’s strengths today. In 2013, I’m sad to report, Bob Much of this work quite rightly garners headlines: the MacLennan passed away. Emeritus Professor MacLennan advances in cancer and mental health, or work on tropical founded our Epidemiology Unit in 1986, making QIMR the diseases that affect Queenslanders will always attract much first Australian medical research institute to recognise the of the public interest. powerful insights to be gained from this field. Even today, the commitment of QIMR to epidemiology studies are a special I would like to take a moment to also recognise our global aspect of our research approaches to foster prevention as responsibilities. QIMR is carrying out important work into well as cures for disease. The selection of Adele Green from malaria, and parasitic infections that may not be a major this area of studies as the Queensland Australian of the problem in Australia as yet, but which kill millions of people Year shows the importance and quality of the work that is around the world. Not only is this the right thing to do, it is performed by these groups. also a wise strategy in a world where the increasing ease of international travel also means disease can spread more Ultimately, the community should take pride and comfort easily. It also is in keeping with our awareness, exemplified in the knowledge that there is world-quality research by an Asian strategy for the Institute, of the fact that we are happening so close to home. In the decades since QIMR’s adjacent to the high potential countries in Asia inception in 1945, our scientists have had an enormous impact on our collective wellbeing. Together, we will Of course, we can now pursue our research in state-of- continue to work towards our common goal: better health the-art facilities, which were officially opened in December through medical research. by American philanthropist Mr Chuck Feeney, whose generous donations helped fund the new 15-storey building. Professor Frank Gannon Mr Feeney’s foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, has Director and CEO now given away $US6 billion to non-profit organisations
PagePa 11 OUR ORGANISATION
ROLE AND MAIN Our vision FUNCTION To be a world renowned medical research institution QIMR was established under the Queensland Institute of Medical Research Act 1945 for the purpose of research into any branch or branches of medical science.
QIMR is a world leading medical research institute. Our research focuses on three areas: cancer; infectious diseases; and mental health and a range of complex disorders. Working in close collaboration with clinicians and other Our mission research institutes, our aim is to improve health by developing prevention strategies, new diagnostics and better treatments. Better health through medical research
GOVERNMENT OBJECTIVES FOR Our philosophy THE COMMUNITY QIMR supports scientists who perform world-class
QIMR research aligns with the Queensland Government’s medical research aimed at objective of growing a four pillar economy, by actively improving the health and providing economic benefits to Queensland through: well-being of all people • Leveraging Queensland Health’s $18.864 million investment more than four-fold from other sources, including salaries for researchers, up to $80 million (approx) per annum; • Providing over 600 high quality jobs. This will grow to approximately 1,000 by 2017; • Providing 360 building and services related jobs and an • Providing the research that resulted in a new skin cancer investment of $200 million into the construction sector; drug that is manufactured in Queensland and now • Actively working to deliver international conferences to available for sale; and Queensland, assisting the tourism industry; • Maintaining eight active licensing agreements for • Working on topics such as depression, skin cancer its technology. and tropical health that are of direct relevance to the Queensland resources and agribusiness sectors;
Page 12 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 STRATEGIC PLAN
QIMR is entering the last year of its strategic plan, or All operations underpin the Institute’s vision, which is to be roadmap for the 2011-14 period. The roadmap guides a world leader in medically relevant research and to transfer the operations of the Institute in a competitive and this knowledge and understanding to the clinic. changing environment. The Institute’s strategic priorities for 2011-14 are to: The strategic focus of the roadmap is driven by the following: • Strengthen research activities; • QIMR will become a world leader in medically relevant • Introduce a career development structure; research and the transfer of this knowledge and • Support researchers to promote retention; understanding to the clinic; • Increase inter-Institutional collaborations; • It will focus on areas that are of high importance to Queensland and that will include regionally relevant • Strengthen collaborations on the Herston campus; diseases and those that are major causes of mortality • Diversify income sources for QIMR; and and morbidity to the community; • Increase the focus on outputs. • Excellence in research and researchers will characterise QIMR; These priorities are achieved by meeting the following measurable objectives: • The research programs of QIMR will be firmly underpinned by outstanding fundamental research • Translation; of direct relevance to the research that is closer • Scientific quality; to translation. • Commercial consequence; • Societal impacts; • International reputation.
PROGRESS
For details on how QIMR’s research has met the objectives scientific quality and international reputation in 2012-13, of translation, societal impact, commercial consequence, see page 28.
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
RAPID GROWTH COMPETITION FOR AND RECRUITMENT FUNDING
QIMR is actively recruiting researchers in areas of high QIMR operates in a competitive environment with much strategic importance to Queensland, including tropical of its research funded by competitive grants obtained by diseases, immunotherapy and vaccine development, cancer researchers. For 2012, QIMR achieved a 31% success rate and genetics to increase its capacity to approximately 1,000 for overall grant applications funded by the NHMRC, which staff, students and visiting scientists over the next five years. is above the national average of 23.7%. QIMR’s success rate Already, QIMR has attracted seven new research teams for NHMRC applications in the Project Grants category was in 2012-13 in its Departments of Biology; Immunology; 29.4% as opposed to the national average of 20.5%. Genetics and Computational Biology in the Cancer and Infectious Diseases Programs. The successful recruitment and retention of leading Australian and international scientists in Queensland and at QIMR will be a critical issue in a highly competitive sector.
Page 13 OUR PEOPLE
At 30 June 2012, QIMR had 601 full-time and part-time figure takes into account the number of permanent full-time employees and 120 students. 81.9% of the Institute’s equivalent (FTE) employees as at 1 July 2012, an increase employees (including casuals) are employed on fixed-term in recruitment for new positions and the number of staff contracts due to the nature of research funding being reliant on members who voluntarily ceased or resigned from the short-term grants. organisation. In fact, 87.5% of FTE staff who were employed with QIMR as at 1 July 2012 were still employed at QIMR as at QIMR has experienced a low rate of staff turnover in 2012–13, 30 June 2013). with the separation or turnover rate sitting at 14.4%. This
WORKFORCE PLANNING, ATTRACTION AND RETENTION
Workforce planning initiatives at QIMR include: ensure growth in research staff is effectively supported into the future. • an Education and Higher Degrees Program to attract students to medical research and a career at QIMR; To meet QIMR’s strategic aim of attracting staff in the areas • the ongoing support for a culture of work/life balance to of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Cancer Biology, Infectious attract and retain employees; Diseases, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Chemistry, Population and Clinical Sciences, throughout 2012-13 the • maximising remuneration benefits for employees through Institute has targeted these areas and attracted researchers highly effective salary packaging options; and from over 24 countries. • provision of childcare arrangements for early year The majority of QIMR staff are employed under the QIMR childcare places. Enterprise Agreement 2011, which is complemented by a While ongoing resource planning at QIMR is limited by short range of workforce policies that not only support the operation term funding cycles for research employees; QIMR’s Support of the Enterprise Agreement and the achievement of strategic Division has planned resourcing and staffing requirements to objectives, but foster a high performance culture.
ETHICS AND CODE OF CONDUCT
QIMR has a Code of Conduct which sets out expected and updated to reflect changes made by the Queensland workplace for conduct, relationships and behaviour of staff. Government to the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994. The Code of Conduct was most recently reviewed in 2011
WHISTLEBLOWERS PROTECTION ACT 1994
No public interest disclosures were received during the 2012-2013 reporting year.
Page 14 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 CARERS ACT 2008
QIMR’s Human Resource policies are regularly reviewed to options, a child care assistance policy, and definitions of a ensure that they comply with obligations set out for public carer compliant with the Act. Employees have access to authorities under the Carers Act 2008. QIMR provides information regarding benefits and policy on the QIMR staff access to flexible working arrangements, flexible leave intranet.
STAFFING
Supporting the ongoing quality of research, QIMR employed 53 Fellows in 2012-13.
REVIEW OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Ensuring QIMR has gender equality, QIMR has reviewed science. The Director has established a regular meeting with the guidelines endorsed by the Council of the Australian representatives from across QIMR to review the profile of Academy of Science to ensure that women and men QIMR, identifying any problems, evaluating initiatives and have equal opportunities to pursue a successful career in discussing improvements and new ideas.
WOMEN AT QIMR
Women play an important role at QIMR with 62.1% of the At QIMR: total workforce being female and 62.8% of our students • Women hold 36.3% of all scientific leadership positions. being female. Women have significant roles in the Support Division, such as the Safety Manager, Regulatory Affairs • Of the 17 newly created Team Head roles, seven are Manager, Animal Facility Manager, Flow Cytometry Manager held by women (41%). and the Chairperson of the Higher Degrees Committee. • 30% of QIMR Council is female. Women also hold significant senior management roles, such as Chief Operating Officer, Cancer Program Coordinator, and • 50% of the Support Management Team is female; this Biology Department Coordinator. includes the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Manager External Relations.
FLEXIBLE WORKING POLICIES
QIMR has flexible working hours, job share and part-time employment options, to assist with balancing work and personal lives. Women are more likely to be part-time with 28% of staff on part-time arrangements and currently two positions have job share occupants who are female.
Page 15 QIMR CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE
QIMR has secured a number of places with a local childcare centre for infants under the age of two years, to assist employees returning to the workforce after becoming a parent.
NURSING MOTHERS
Within the new building, QIMR has a room specifically designed to cater for nursing mothers.
INDIGENOUS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
Reflecting the value QIMR places on being informed • increase the capability of QIMR’s non-indigenous by the community, our Indigenous Health Research researchers to appropriately conduct Indigenous program has adopted a governance model that seeks Health research both internal and external input; a committee of QIMR • increase awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal and researchers and an advisory group of external members Torres Strait Islander cultures. with expertise in “Service Provision”, “Policy Development” and “Research”. Together, these groups serve to advise As a world leading medical research facility, QIMR is about the viability of workforce development, research and dedicated to translating discovery into treatment, diagnostics communication activities. and prevention strategies, being informed by and engaging stakeholders with vested interest and capacity to influence Within the space that is workforce development, we Indigenous health. strive to: • increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait QIMR has also commenced an Indigenous cadetship Islander researchers at QIMR for a third year science student through the Queensland Department of Education, Employment and • support the ongoing development of the Indigenous Workplace Relations. health research workforce
Page 16 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND RECORDKEEPING
A review of QIMR’s recordkeeping has streamlined and TRIM Context has enabled QIMR to maximise the value of consolidated physical and electronic documents to keep records with consistent and timely capture. It also improves full and accurate records of its activities in accordance accessibility, reduces duplication and promotes information- with the Public Records Act 2002, Information Standard sharing across the organisation. 40 and Information Standard 31. As part of the records management program, the QIMR Recordkeeping Policy Records are not disposed of, or archived, unless their 2008 was established and adopted to provide an disposal is authorised under the Public Records Act 2002 organisation-wide policy on the management of QIMR or by reference to the Retention and Disposal Schedule documents and records, both hardcopy and electronic. approved by Queensland State Archives (QSA). All QIMR records are registered into TRIM Context before transfer QIMR has implemented an official records and electronic to the off-site storage provider or QSA. All QIMR hardcopy document management system called Total Records and records stored off-site are managed under legislatively Information Management (TRIM) Context. This provides a appropriate risk management standards and guidelines. single, standardised system that promotes file sharing and secures access to QIMR’s records. The implementation of
Page 17 OUR GOVERNANCE
COUNCIL PURPOSE AND MEMBERSHIP
In accordance with Part 2, Section 4A of the Queensland of Medical Research (“The Council”). Under the Statutory Institute of Medical Research Act 1945, QIMR is controlled Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982, the QIMR Council and governed by The Council of the Queensland Institute is a statutory body.
FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL
The functions of the Council are to: • invest monies raised or accepted by the Council for the purposes of the Institute; and • control and manage the Institute; • invest monies derived from any property or other • raise and accept monies for the purposes of invested monies of the Council for the purposes of the Institute; the Institute.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL
The Council consists of at least seven, but not more than 11, members appointed by the Governor in Council.
Under the QIMR Act the Minister for Health is to recommend persons to be appointed as member of the Council. The Minister may have regard to the skills experience and expertise of a person in any of the following areas: • corporate governance; • public or academic administration; • health or clinical research; • health ethics; • financial management; • fundraising; • any other area the Minister considers to be relevant to the functions of the Council.
Page 18 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
THE HON PAUL DE JERSEY AC
Paul de Jersey was appointed Chair of the QIMR Council on 20 June 2013.
He came to the role from a lengthy legal and judicial career. Admitted to the Bar in 1971, where he practised substantially in commercial and constitutional law, he was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1985, and then Chief Justice of Queensland in 1998. His earlier judicial duties had included chairmanship of the Queensland Law Reform Commission and presidency of the Queensland Industrial Court.
A strong supporter of local not-for-profit organisations, the Chief Justice acts as patron for a number of organisations including the Medico-Legal Society of Queensland, the Queensland Justices Association Inc and the UQ Pro Bono Law Centre, and has in the past led the board of the Australian Cancer Society (for three years) and the Queensland Cancer Fund, now the Queensland Cancer Council (for 10 years).
The Chief Justice is a Companion of the Order of Australia (2000), was awarded a Centenary Medal (2003), and holds Honorary Doctorates from the University of Queensland and the University of Southern Queensland .
MR CHRISTOPHER COYNE
Christopher Coyne was the Acting Chair of QIMR Council until 20 June 2013, and a member of the QIMR Finance and Audit Committee and the Executive Employment and Remuneration Committee until March 2013.
Mr Coyne is a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and an accredited specialist in the field of Commercial Litigation, specialising in insurance law, health law, corporate governance and risk management. Following his admission as a solicitor in 1979 he practised law in Brisbane and was a partner in the national law firm Clayton Utz from 1984 to 2004.
Mr Coyne now practices on his own account. He was appointed an Adjunct Professor of The University of Queensland School of Law in 2002. Mr Coyne is a Director of Lexon Insurance Pty Ltd (Queensland Law Society, Singapore Captive Insurer), a Director of the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for the State of Queensland, past president Medico-Legal Society of Queensland and Australian Insurance Law Association and former legal member Australian Health Ethics Committee.
PROFESSOR BRYAN CAMPBELL AM MD BS FRACP FRACMA
Professor Campbell was Acting Deputy Chair of QIMR Council unil 20 June 2013. He was formerly Chief Health Officer of Queensland and Head of The University of Queensland Medical School.
He has been a Councillor of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators and a member of the NHMRC. He was Deputy Chair of the Australian Health Ethics Committee and a member of the NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee until June 2006.
Professor Campbell is the Chair of the QIMR Finance and Audit Committee and a Member of the Executive Employment and Remuneration Committee.
Page 19 DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR JUDITH CLEMENTS BAppSc MAppSc PhD
DP Clements has over 20 years’ experience as a researcher in biomedical research, primarily in the general field of molecular endocrinology. Her areas of expertise include prostate, ovarian and breast cancer, as well as biomarkers for cancer progression, kallikrein proteases and new therapeutic targets.
She is currently Scientific Director of the Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre Queensland and Program Leader of the Cancer Program within the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), at the new Translational Research Institute on the Princess Alexandra Hospital Biomedical Precinct. She coordinates the Australian Prostate Cancer BioResource, a national tissue bank for prostate cancer research. She is also an NHMRC Principal Research Fellow and an NHMRC Academy member since 2009. In 2007, Professor Clements was awarded the prestigious international Frey-Werle Foundation Gold Medal for her significant contributions to the kallikrein protease field. She was awarded the Queensland Women in Technology Biotech Outstanding Achievement Award for 2012, and has been recently awarded the prestigious title of Distinguished Professor at QUT.
DP Clements is Chair of the QIMR Appointment and Promotions Committee.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR PAULA MARLTON MB BS (Hons I) FRACP FRCPA
Associate Professor Marlton is the Head of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Services at the Princess Alexandra Hospital where she is also Deputy Director of Haematology. Her previous appointments include three years at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, Texas. She has extensive experience in clinical research incuding the role of principal investigator for national multi-centre trials and supervisor of molecular translational research associated with trials. She was the founding Chair of the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (LLG) Laboratory Science Committee and has established and continues to direct the ALLG Tissue Bank. Her other professional roles include Medical Advisor and board member of the Leukaemia Foundation, member of several drug advisory boards and government and college advisory committees as well as a wide range of academic and clinical service roles.
Associate Professor Marlton is a member of the QIMR Appointments and Promotions Committee.
DR JEANNETTE YOUNG MB BS MBA FRACMA FFPH AFACHSM
Dr Young is the Chief Health Officer for Queensland, a role she has filled since August 2005. Prior to this, she held the position of Executive Director of Medical Services at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane and has previously worked in a range of positions in Queensland and in Sydney. She has specialist qualifications as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators and as a Fellow by Distinction of the Faculty of Public Health of the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom. She is an Adjunct Professor at QUT and Griffith University.
As Chief Health Officer, she is responsible for such matters as health disaster planning and response; aero-medical retrieval services; licensing of private hospitals; and policy regarding research; organ and tissue donation services; cancer screening services; communicable diseases; environmental health, preventive health and other population health services; blood, poisons and medicines.
Dr Young is a member of numerous state and national committees and boards including the NHMRC, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, the Jurisdictional Blood Committee, the Organ and Tissue Jurisdictional Advisory Committee, the Australian National Preventive Health Agency Advisory Council and the National Screening Committee.
Page 20 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 PROFESSOR NICHOLAS FISK MBBS PhD MBA FRANZCOG FRCOG DDU CMFM GAICD
Professor Fisk is Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at The University of Queensland. He is a Board Member of the Metro North Hospital and Health Service and of Diamantina Health Partners. He practices as a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and leads a research group in The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR).
Between 1992 and 2007 he was Professor of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine at Imperial College, London and Queen Charlotte’s Hospital, London. His main research interests have been in monochorionic placentation and human fetal stem cell biology. He has authored over 400 publications, is a past President of the International Fetal Medicine and Surgery Society, and is a member of several editorial boards including PLoS Medicine.
Professor Fisk is a member of the QIMR Appointments and Promotions Committee.
MR GREG BAYNTON BBus M Econ St MBA FFINSA (To 12/10/12)
Greg Baynton is the founder and Managing Director of Orbit Capital, a boutique investment and advisory company. He has a background in merchant banking and Queensland Treasury, and has experience in infrastructure investment, capital raisings, Initial Public Offerings (IPO), pre-IPO funding, corporate structuring and corporate governance.
Mr Baynton is currently Director of COALBANK Limited and NEXTDC Limited and was a Director of Tissue Therapies Limited and PIPE Networks Limited.
Mr Baynton is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia.
PROFESSOR ALAN PETTIGREW BSc (Hons) PhD FAICD
Professor Pettigrew is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has held a range of academic and senior executive appointments at a number of Australian universities, having served as Deputy Chair of the Academic Board at the University of Sydney, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Biological Sciences) at The University of Queensland, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at the University of NSW.
Professor Pettigrew served as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the National Health and Medical Research Council. In 2005, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of the University of New England. Professor Pettigrew retired from the University in 2009. He also served as a member of the Board of the Australian Universities Quality Agency until 2010.
Professor Pettigrew is currently an Adjunct Professor in the College of Medicine Biology and Environment at Australian National University and a Professorial Fellow of the LH Martin Institute at the University of Melbourne. He is a member of the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Committee and the Board of the John Curtin Medical Research Foundation. He is also Chair of the Advisory Committee for the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Reducing Healthcare Associated Infection based at QUT. Professor Pettigrew is an adviser to the Chief Scientist of Australia and a consultant to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and universities on higher education leadership, management and research.
Professor Pettigrew is a member of the QIMR Appointments and Promotions Committee.
MR RODNEY WYLIE OBE BComm BA FCA FAICD
Rod Wylie is a Brisbane-based chartered accountant with substantial experience in investment, company management and corporate governance issues across a wide range of organisations, in many cases with nationwide and international activities.
He has been involved through board or council membership in the administration of a number of professional and community not-for-profit groups.
Mr Wylie chairs the QIMR Investment Committee and is a member of the QIMR Finance and Audit Committee.
Page 21 MR IAN FRASER BComm FCA FAICD
Ian Fraser is a Chartered Accountant practising as a nonexecutive company director with more than 45 years’ experience as a business and accounting professional including nine years as a company director of listed and unlisted public companies and 27 years as a partner with KPMG. He retired as an audit and corporate advisory partner in 2004.
Mr Fraser is chairman of Asia Pacific Data Centre Trust and a non-executive director of Wilson HTM Investment Group Ltd.
He is a member of the QIMR Investment Committee and a member of the QIMR Finance and Audit Committee.
NUMBER OF MEETINGS
Attendance by Members of Council who held office during the 2012-13 financial year are as follows:
Meetings Meetings Appointed members Appointed members attended attended Greg Baynton 1 of 2 Paula Marlton 5 of 7 Bryan Campbell 7 of 7 Alan Pettigrew 5 of 7 Judith Clements 5 of 7 Rod Wylie 5 of 7 Christopher Coyne 5 of 7 Jeannette Young 4 of 7 Nicholas Fisk 5 of 7 Council Secretary: Donna Hancock 7 of 7 Ian Fraser 7 of 7
REMUNERATION OF COUNCIL
The aggregate remuneration for the QIMR Council for 2012-13 was $9,418.
COMMITTEES TO COUNCIL
The Committee meets quarterly to review business and FINANCE AND AUDIT financial risk, financial operating performance and audit performance. The Committee reviews all issues and COMMITTEE recommendations arising from internal audit and the Queensland Audit Office, along with agreed management The role of the Finance and Audit Committee is to provide actions implemented to address any issues found. independent assurance and assistance to the QIMR The Finance and Audit Committee follows its terms of Council on: reference and has due regard to Queensland Treasury’s • risk, control and compliance frameworks; Audit Committee Guidelines. The Finance and Audit Committee comprises: • QIMR’s external accountability responsibilities as prescribed in the relevant legislation; and • Professor Bryan Campbell (Chair) • the appointment of the internal audit function and • Mr Christopher Coyne (until March 2013) communications with internal and external auditors. • Mr Ian Fraser The Committee is directly responsible and accountable • Mr Rodney Wylie to the QIMR Council for the exercise of its duties and responsibilities.
Page 22 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 APPOINTMENTS HUMAN RESEARCH AND PROMOTIONS ETHICS COMMITTEE
COMMITTEE The Human Research Ethics Committee on behalf of Council ensures the maintenance of ethical standards in human The Appointments and Promotions Committee assists research and compliance with regulatory guidelines. Council with the maintenance of academic standards at • Dr Ian Wilkey (Chair) QIMR by reviewing proposals for the appointment and promotion of Faculty staff. The committee comprises: • Dr Roger Allison • Distinguished Professor Judith Clements (Chair) • Ms Madeline Brennan (Council Member) • Mrs Gwen Eardley • Professor Nick Fisk (Council Member) • Mr Angus Edmonds • Associate Professor Paula Marlton (Council Member) • Professor Barbara Leggett • Professor Alan Pettigrew (Council Member) • Mrs Mary Mackenzie • Dr Joanne Aitken (Director, Viertel Cancer Epidemiology • Dr Peter Roeser Unit, Cancer Queensland) • Mr David Russell • Professor Julie Campbell • Dr Tom Sculley (to November 2012) • Professor Alan Cowman (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute • Mr John Stead of Medical Research) • Associate Professor Katharine Trenholme • Professor Tony Evans (Director, Cancer Therapeutics CRC Pty Ltd) • Dr Brett Stringer (from June 2013) • Professor Bob Graham (Executive Director, Victor • Ms Donna Hancock Chang Cardiac Research Institute) • Professor Andrew Grulich (The Kirby Institute, UNSW) • Dr Jurgen Michaelis (Chair, Bio Innovation SA) ANIMAL ETHICS • Professor Joe Trapani (Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre) COMMITTEE
• Professor Frank Gannon (ex officio) The QIMR Animal Ethics Committee on behalf of Council ensures the maintenance of ethical standards in animal research and compliance with regulatory guidelines in the INVESTMENT COMMITTEE use of animals in medical research.
The Investment Committee is responsible for overseeing the investment of QIMR Council Funds. • Mr Rod Wylie (Chair) THE PHASE II AND III • Mr Bruce Phillips (to May 2013) BUILDING PROJECT • Mr Michael Sargent • Mr John Allpass STEERING COMMITTEE
• Mr Ian Fraser • Professor Frank Gannon (Chair) • Mr Greg Baynton (to October 2012) • Professor Greg Anderson (Deputy Director) • Mr Alan Stockman (Project Director) (to August 2012) EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT • Mr John Parnell (Project Manager) • Professor Grant Ramm (Staff Association AND REMUNERATION Representative) • Ms Donna Hancock (Chief Operating Officer) COMMITTEE • Dr Joseph Pereira (Senior Manager Scientific Services) The Executive Employment and Remuneration Committee is responsible for reviewing the terms and conditions relating to the appointment and remuneration of senior management. • Professor Bryan Campbell • Mr Christopher Coyne (to March 2013)
Page 23 RISK MANAGEMENT
The review and management of risk at QIMR is undertaken improve any identified gaps in controls. The review process by QIMR Council through the Finance and Audit Committee. records all incidents reported to Committees, Management QIMR management maintains a register of potential or Council and allocates those incidents to risk categories. If risks applicable to functions of the Institute. A schedule a risk has not previously been described in the register, it is of quarterly reviews incorporates the actions required to added in the appropriate category and controls developed.
INTERNAL AUDIT
Internal audit is a fundamental part of corporate governance The approach taken to identifying areas of significant risk that ensures that QIMR operates effectively, efficiently and combines a focus on both cyclical reviews of core business economically. The Finance and Audit Committee acts as a processes as well as reviews of key risk areas. KPMG’s forum to oversee the planning, performance and reporting of integrated governance, risk and controls framework builds the internal auditor. on a traditional internal audit model to take a holistic view of QIMR’s key objectives, risks, controls and supporting The role of internal audit is to provide independent, structure across the organisation. objective assurance and advice designed to assist QIMR in accomplishing its objectives by bringing a systematic, In formulating an internal audit plan for presentation to the disciplined approach to evaluating and improving the Finance and Audit Committee for approval, consideration appropriateness and effectiveness of risk management and was given to past internal audit findings, recent and internal control. forthcoming changes in systems and processes, key business risks and the period since the last internal audit The internal audit contractor (KPMG) met with the Finance of each core business process. An annual internal audit and Audit Committee on the following occasions during the plan was prepared and presented to the Finance and Audit period 1 July 2012 – 30 June 2013: Committee prior to the commencement of the financial year. • 31 August 2012, The internal audit function has observed the terms of its • 23 November 2012, and charter and has due regard to Queensland Treasury’s Audit Committee Guidelines. • 1 March 2013.
EXTERNAL SCRUTINY
QIMR was not subject to any reports of any parliamentary committees, the Crime and Misconduct Commission or the Queensland Ombudsman.
OPEN DATA
For information on consultancies and overseas travel for QIMR please visit the Queensland Government Open Data website at qld.gov.au/data.
Page 24 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 OUR MANAGEMENT
DIRECTOR AND CEO, PROFESSOR FRANK GANNON
Professor Frank Gannon is QIMR’s seventh Director and 2000-2008, he contributed to a monthly editorial to EMBO CEO. In this role he is responsible for the work undertaken Reports of which he was founding Senior Editor. He also by the Institute, management of employees and the writes extensively on diverse topics related to science policy. development of the strategies of the Institute, under the Professor Gannon has seven patent applications, four of overall control of the Council. Professor Frank Gannon joined which are active at present and was the founder of both QIMR as Director and CEO in January 2011. Previously, Bimini Ltd (1990) and Elara Pharmaceuticals (2006). He Professor Gannon was the Director General at the Science was a member of the interim Board of Science Foundation Foundation Ireland (SFI) from 2007. Ireland from 2002 to 2004 and was elected as a Member of Academia Europea in 2005, Royal Irish Academy in 2007 From 1994-2007, Professor Gannon was the Executive and the Mexican Academy of Medicine in 2008. Director of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) and Senior Scientist at the European Molecular In 2012, Professor Gannon was appointed as a Queensland Biology Laboratory (EMBL), based in Germany; and Director Academy of Arts and Science Fellow. of the National Diagnostic Centre and Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at University College He has been awarded honorary Doctorates by the Galway, Ireland (1981-1994). University of Jozsef Attila, Szeged (Hungary), The University of Queensland and Queens University Belfast He obtained a Bachelor of Science from the National (Northern Ireland). University of Ireland, Galway in 1970; a PhD from the University of Leicester, England in 1973; was a post-doctoral He has served on a range of high-level scientific advisory fellow at the University of Madison Wisconsin, USA from boards at institutes in Norway, Poland, South Africa and 1973 to 1975; and Chargé de Recherche in INSERM at the Australia and was co-founder of the European Life Sciences University of Strasbourg, France from 1975 to 1981, after Forum (ELSF) and the Initiative for Science Europe (ISE) that which he returned to Galway. played significant roles in the establishment of the European Research Council (ERC). His major research interest is the expression and functional regulation of the oestrogen receptor, which plays a major He was Vice President of the European Heads of role in breast cancer and osteoporosis. These studies Research Council and an advisor to the European Union have provided leads to novel treatments or therapeutic Commissioner for Research and Innovation prior to his move approaches to these and other cancers. to Brisbane.
Professor Gannon has authored over 200 research articles published in international journals. In addition, from
Page 25 Council ORGANISATIONAL CHART Director
Chief Operating Officer and Secretary to Council
Genetics & Immunology Biology Computational Biology Department Coordinator Department Coordinator Department Coordinator
Chief Financial Officer Bone Marrow Transplantation Oncogenomics Skin Carcinogenesis
Chief Human Resources Officer Immunology in Cancer & Infection Cancer Genetics Signal Transduction
Senior Manager Clinical Immunoheamatology Molecular Cancer Epidemiology Protein Discovery Centre External Relations
Senior Manager Antigen Presentation Genomic Biology Inflammation Biology Scientific Services & Immunoregulation
Senior Manager Translational Functional Cancer Genomics HIV Molecular Virology Research Support & Governance Leukaemia Research
Manager Council Business Tumour Micro-environment Functional Genetics Clinical Tropical Medicine
Cancer Immunoregulation Cancer & Population Studies Molecular Parasitology and Immunotherapy
Molecular Vaccinology Gynaecological Cancers Molecular Vaccinology
Cellular Immunology Cancer Control Group Mosquito Control
Bacterial Pathogenesis Immunology and Infection Cancer Aetiology & Prevention & Scabies
Biomarkers & Biology of Tumour Immunology Bioinformatics Infection Related Cancers
Inflammation Biology Inflammatory Bowel Disease Iron Metabolism
Malaria Immunology Membrane Transport Lung Inflammation & Infection
Human Immunity Genetic Epidemiology
Molecular Immunology Systems Neuroscience
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Molecular Epidemiology
Hepatic Fibrosis Neurogenetics
Neuroimaging Genetics
Asthma Genetics
Statistical Genetics
Quantitative Genetics
Page 26 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 Aboriginal and Deputy Director Torres Strait Islanders Health Research Manager
Cell & Molecular Biology Population Health Department Coordinator Department Coordinator
Leukaemia Foundation Cancer & Population Studies Cancer Program Coordinator Control of Gene Expression Gynaecological Cancers
Signal Transduction Cancer Control Group
Radiation Biology & Oncology Cancer Aetiology & Prevention
Conjoint Gastroenterology Molecular Cancer Epidemiology
Drug Discovery Group Molecular Parasitology Infectious Diseases Program Coordinator Cancer Drug Mechanism
Protein Discovery Centre
HIV Molecular Virology
Bacterial Pathogenesis & Scabies
Hepatic Fibrosis Mental Health / Complex Disorders Program Coordinator Membrane Transport
Epigenetics
Iron Metabolism
Key
Laboratory is also represented in another department
Page 27 OUR PERFORMANCE
QIMR’s mission is to deliver better health through medical • Translation research. This is achieved through outstanding fundamental • Scientific quality and translational research with the ultimate goal being the translation into clinical practice in the form of improved • Commercial consequence diagnostics, prevention and treatment strategies. In order • Societal impacts to measure the performance of QIMR’s research with consequences, the following outputs are considered: • International reputation TRANSLATION
Investigating the world’s most deadly diseases, from cancer to infectious diseases, to mental health and a range of TRANSLATION FACILITIES complex disorders, QIMR is dedicated to improving the health of people across Queensland, Australia and the world. QIMR is one of Australia’s only fully integrated biomedical research and development centres. Within the Institute, there The Institute is committed to making fundamental scientific is the capability to translate fundamental basic research from discoveries and translating them into disease prevention the discovery phase through development, scale-up and measures and treatments. manufacture, to Phase I and II clinical trials. The first of its kind in Queensland, QIMR is truly a translational medical research institute, taking discoveries QIMR also has facilities for the good manufacture practice from bench to bedside. (GMP) manufacture of cell-based and molecular therapies. Co-located within the Institute is an associated commercial Translational research highlights for 2012-13 include: Phase I/II clinical trials facility, Q-Pharm Pty Ltd, allowing • Identifying that a treatment currently being trialled for QIMR scientists and external clients the extended capability leukaemia may also be effective against brain cancer; for taking research findings from bench to the bedside. • Trialling tocilizumab (a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis) for the treatment of asthma; • Carrying out research into the factors that affect graft- Q-GEN versus-host disease in people who have received a bone marrow transplant leading to several changes in Q-Gen is licensed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration clinical treatment to alleviate graft-versus-host disease (TGA) for the maintenance and storage of working cell after the transplant; banks, the storage on site of cellular products and the management and release of cellular therapies for humans. • Successfully completing the Phase I clinical trials for a The TGA license makes Q-Gen one of a very small number new nasopharyngeal carcinoma therapy; of organisations in Australia able to store human and non- • Commencing human trials of malaria treatments human samples under GMP conditions. and vaccines; Q-Gen is one of the largest GMP facilities in Australia, • Developing and trialling immunotherapy with 13 ISO Class 7 clean rooms. Each clean room is fully treatments against: equipped for the manufacture of clinical therapies. - nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Q-Gen provides QIMR with a unique facility to conduct its - brain cancer, translational research and processes for clinical therapies - lymphoma and and is currently utilised in the manufacture of a number of - cytomegalovirus; and QIMR sponsored developmental immunotherapies and the production of material for malaria trials. • Discovering that HIV protease inhibitors also kill malaria parasites.
Page 28 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 for Women, Westmead Hospital, Mercy Hospital Q-PHARM for Women); • Adoptive immunotherapy for EBV associated with In order to facilitate the translation of QIMR’s research into nasopharyngeal carcinoma (Princess Alexandra Hospital, clinical practice, Q-Pharm is a related entity with QIMR Queen Mary Hospital, University of Hong Kong); holding a 24.5% share. Q-Pharm is a specialist contract research organisation that conducts early phase clinical • Surveillance of skin cancer rates in organ transplant trials of pharmaceutical and biotechnology products patients (Princess Alexandra Hospital, Prince Charles spanning the areas of therapeutic, diagnostic and disease Hospital); prevention agents. • Genome expression profiling of squamous cell carcinoma with perineural invasion (Princess The company offers the best appointed early phase clinical Alexandra Hospital); trials facilities in Australasia, including recruitment and outpatient clinics, a specialised 18-bed clinic for the conduct • Collaborating on new drugs and vaccines for cancer of the most medically demanding trials and an open plan 24 and infectious diseases with UQ and Emory University bed facility for larger healthy volunteer trials. (Georgia, USA); • Forming the Queensland Mental Health Research Alliance with the Queensland Brain Institute and CLINICAL Queensland Health’s West Moreton Hospital and Health Service; COLLABORATIONS • Biology of cystic fibrosis lung disease, particularly Pseudomonas infection (Prince Charles Hospital, Because of its close proximity to major teaching hospitals Royal Children’s Hospital); and The University of Queensland Medical School, QIMR • Samples from patients with acute myeloid leukaemia for is ideally placed for clinical research collaborations. It has a study (Royal Adelaide Hospital); proud history of working closely with hospitals, in particular • Queensland Head and Neck Cancer Centre (Princess the RBWH. Clinicians have research groups in QIMR Alexandra Hospital); and medical researchers in QIMR have clinical sessions at the RBWH. QIMR’s researchers also have significant • Genetic screening of patients with iron overload relationships with clinicians nationally and internationally. In disorders (RBWH, Greenslopes Private Hospital); 2012-13, QIMR researchers collaborated with clinicians in • Skin cell samples patients with ataxia-telangiectasia over 75 projects, in a number of hospitals. and other hereditary ataxias (Royal Children’s Hospital);
QIMR funded four projects through their annual QIMR- • Factors affecting response to treatment for acute Clinician Research Collaboration Awards 2012, fostering ulcerative colitis (RBWH); clinical collaboration to advance translational research. • Diagnostic test for psychosis and dementia (Prince of Projects included: Wales Hospital, RBWH); • The relationship between hormone receptor signalling • Samples of brain cancer tumours for molecular analysis and obesity in endometrial cancer; and biobanking (RBWH); • New non-invasive methods to detect progression of • Clinical assessment of immunity monitoring to identify liver disease and identify patients at highest risk of bone marrow transplant patients at high risk of cirrhosis-related mortality; complications from CMV infection (RBWH); • The role of SerpinB2 in pre-eclampsia; and • Predictors of response to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer (Mater Mothers’ Hospital); • Searching for genetic differences between monozygous twin pairs discordant for epilepsy. • Response of ovarian cancer cell lines to statins (Mater Mothers’ Hospital); In 2012-13, QIMR researchers collaborated with clinicians • Mechanisms of metastasis in breast cancer (RBWH); in over 75 projects, in a number of hospitals. These collaborations included: • Genotyping patients to find factors affecting response to treatment for acute ulcerative colitis (RBWH); • Clinical trial of tocilizumab (a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis) for the treatment of asthma (Royal • CMV infection in renal transplant patients (Prince Children’s Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Prince Charles Hospital); Charles Hospital); • Analysis of clinical dataset for melanoma (Princess • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) -specific T cells as therapy Alexandra Hospital); and for recurrent EBV-positive lymphomas (Princess • Initiated a study to investigate potential use of immune Alexandra Hospital); monitoring to identify high risk patients for future • Ovarian Cancer Prognosis and Lifestyle (OPAL) study enrolment in a clinical trial (Prince Charles Hospital). (Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Royal Hospital
Page 29 Results VACCINE DEVELOPMENT In 2012-13, QIMR’s clinical collaborations produced a range of significant outcomes, including: Vaccine research requires a multi-disciplinary strategy which involves expertise in basic and applied immunology, • Identification of a drug target for brain cancer that has a pathogenesis, molecular and structural biology with treatment currently being trialled against leukaemia; preclinical and clinical trials methodology. • Development of new rapid and inexpensive tools to QIMR encompasses this varied expertise within a single screen for genetic mutations which are associated with institution and the QIMR Centre for Immunotherapy and iron disorders, which can aid clinicians in diagnosis; Vaccine Development (CIVD) harnesses this to advance the • Demonstration of the relationship between conditioning science of vaccine development. It provides opportunities for intensity and graft-versus-host-disease leading to its members to develop collaborative links with national and reduced intensity stem cell transplantation. Now half international academic institutions and the biotechnology of all stem cell transplantation are undertaken in this industry and also provides a platform for young Australian fashion; and international scientists to develop new techniques in the field of vaccine research. • Demonstration of the relationship of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilised blood products to The CIVD has strong links with the biotechnology industry graft-versus-host-disease and graft-versus leukaemia. and health institutions that are being leveraged to translate Now more than 80% of transplantation undertaken with the outcomes of research from bench to bedside, and G-CSF mobilized products; which will have significant implications for improving health • Demonstration that treatment using growth factor after outcomes for Australians. This collaborative program is also bone marrow transplant may exacerbate graft-versus- aiming to bring new technologies to Queensland and create host disease. Clinical practices have changed so that training and employment opportunities for Queenslanders. growth factors are now avoided after transplant; CIVD has unique expertise and resources in antigen • Demonstration of the critical role of tumour necrosis discovery with a strong focus on immunomics, factor (TNF) in mediating graft-versus-host-disease. bioinformatics and high throughput re-sequencing. TNF monoclonal antibodies are now used routinely in This approach allows rapid whole genome scanning of clinical bone marrow transplantation; infectious pathogens and cancer antigens to map novel vaccine determinants. • Contribution to the diagnostic and management guidelines for bipolar disorder (through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists clinical practice guidelines); CURRENT CLINICAL • Illustration that ingenol mebutate (an existing product) can remove sun damaged skin cells (UV-mutated TRIALS keratinocytes) and therefore potentially avoid skin cancers and is now used in a product available for sale; Fundamental research at QIMR in 2012-13 underpinned a number of clinical trials that may ultimately lead to improved • Identification of two antioxidants which reduce the liver treatment options for patients. These included: injury associated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, one of the most common disorders in the world; and • Testing a group A streptococcus vaccine; • Discovery that HIV protease inhibitors also kill malaria • Using immunotherapy for the treatment of parasites. This can reduce co-infection, a major cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease after bone marrow problem in developing countries. transplantation; • Assessing the safety of immunotherapy treatment for virus-specific brain cancer, glioblastoma multiforme; • Trialling immunotherapy following chemotherapy for metastatic EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma; • Carrying out an experimental study to characterise biochemistry during malaria infection in healthy volunteers; and • Testing antimalarial drugs in healthy human volunteers.
Page 30 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 SCIENTIFIC QUALITY
QIMR prides itself on being one of the largest and most This year, QIMR researchers have been published in a range successful medical research facilities in Australia, attracting of high impact scientific journals such as Nature, Nature exceptional scientists and students to carry out high quality Genetics, and the New England Journal of Medicine. These research aimed at preventing and curing disease throughout papers include: Australia and the world. • Identification of 23 new prostate cancer susceptibility QIMR has demonstrated its commitment to scientific loci using the iCOGS custom genotyping array in quality in a number of ways in 2012-13 including producing Nature Genetics; 638 peer reviewed publications, securing more than • Health education package to prevent worm infections $18 million of competitive NHMRC funding and producing in Chinese schoolchildren in the New England Journal a range of excellent world-class research outcomes across of Medicine; and its laboratories. • Identification of risk loci with shared effects on five QIMR will continue to strive for the highest standard of major psychiatric disorders: a genome-wide analysis in scientific quality by attracting outstanding researchers, The Lancet. producing and contributing to publications including high-impact journals, and gaining ongoing support from funding bodies to continue medical research.
PUBLICATIONS
Publications and citations are a key indicator of achievement and excellence in academic research and are a core output of QIMR. Confirming the ongoing pursuit of excellence in science, researchers at QIMR contributed to 638 scientific publications. Of these publications, 54 were published in high impact journals (those with an impact factor over 10).
In a ranking of research institutes, prestigious publication, Nature, ranked QIMR first in Australia amongst medical research institutes for research articles and reviews.
Scientific publications
700
600
500
400
300 PUBLICATIONS 200
100
0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 YEAR Articles High Impact (publications in journals with impact factors of 10 or more)
(*Publications in journals with impact factors of 10 or more)
Page 31 FUNDING
QIMR was recognised and gained support for its scientific and fellowship announcements in late 2012, for funding innovation, with researchers securing more than $18 million commencing in 2013. in funding from the NHMRC in the latest round of grants
20 NHMRC GRANTS AWARDED ($ MILLIONS) 15 (excluding Fellowships)
10 $MILLIONS
5
0 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 YEAR Grants
FELLOWSHIPS AWARDS
QIMR employed 38 NHMRC Fellows in 2012-13 to support QIMR scientists received over 50 local and international the quality of ongoing research at the Institute and 53 fellows awards in the last financial year, including: in total. • Professor Adele Green AC received the Queensland Australian of the Year, from the Australia Day Council; • Professor Grant Montgomery was recognised by the INVITED LECTURES Society for Reproductive Biology as an international leader in reproductive biology; and QIMR researchers were invited to speak about their work at • Dr Ashraful Haque was awarded an Australian Society for over 265 lectures in 2012-13, almost double on 2011-12s 140 Medical Research (ASMR) Senior Researcher Award for lectures. Invited lectures included: research excellence. • Professor Mark Smyth presenting at the Cancer Immunotherapy Consortium in Washington DC in April 2013; POSTGRADUATE • Dr Christian Engwerda delivering a presentation at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and STUDENTS Biotechnology in Delhi in October 2012; and • Associate Professor Nathan Subramaniam presenting at QIMR is committed to encouraging today’s students to pursue the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Singapore in science as a rewarding , exciting and challenging career. June 2013. The Institute relies on students to help carry out its research, but in return, QIMR offers students the opportunity to experience excellent research facilities, support services, an extensive network of international and national research collaborations, and work with the internationally- recognised QIMR scientists. All these elements provide an outstanding environment for advanced training in health and biomedical research.
Page 32 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 During 2012-13, the Institute welcomed 15 new PhD QIMR’s Higher Degrees Committee (HDC) also awarded students and 13 new Honours students. It was an excellent additional funding to help current students complete their year for graduations with over 20 PhD students and five degree programs. Top-up scholarships were awarded to ten Honours students graduating. During the year, the Institute of the top second-year PhD students and eight Honours also admitted four new MPhil, six course work Masters and Masters students were also awarded scholarships. students, and one student on the Indigenous cadet In addition, the HDC offered 13 PhD students financial program. We also welcomed more than 24 new visiting assistance to help them attend and present their work students, many from overseas. at overseas conferences through the presentation of travel awards. To assist students with the ongoing challenge of inadequate funding in post-graduate study, in 2012, QIMR launched The Australian scientific community recognises the quality eight QIMR International PhD Scholarships, to help attract of QIMR’s postgraduate students, with several receiving exceptional international students to QIMR. The first external awards for their research, including Michelle Neller, students will start at QIMR in July 2013. who won the Post-graduate Student Award at the Australian Society for Medical Research’s Health and Medical Research Awards.
CASE STUDY
Dr Bryan Day and Professor Andrew Boyd
QIMR scientists have identified a new target Most significantly, the protein can be directly targeted for treating aggressive brain tumours. with a treatment the laboratory has already developed, and which is currently in clinical trial for use in Professor Andrew Boyd and Dr Bryan Day have shown leukaemia patients. that a particular protein – EphA3 - is found in up to half the cases of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and GBM is the most common primary adult brain cancer, particularly in the most aggressive cases. They have and is nearly always fatal. It kills about 1000 Australians shown that EphA3 is required for GBM cells to grow and every year, most within two years of diagnosis. form tumours. Professor Andrew Boyd first discovered the protein EphA3 in leukaemia cells in 1992.
Page 33 COMMERCIAL CONSEQUENCE
QIMR supports its mission for better health by connecting companies. In 2012-13, 13 new projects were established with industry to boost health outcomes and economic with companies attracting approximately $3 million in benefits. By working with commercial organisations, QIMR external revenue. This is a significant increase on 2011- has been able to develop cancer therapeutics, diagnostic 12, when only seven new projects were established, and targets, cancer vaccines and infectious disease vaccines. $2 million was earned in external revenue. QIMR is a strong research partner of Queensland companies CBio Limited By collaborating with companies on a number of and Ecobiotics Limited. commercially significant projects, QIMR has further cemented its reputation for excellence. Contract research carried out in QIMR has resulted in the discovery and development of cancer therapeutic agents QIMR undertakes industry sponsored collaborative research and other commercial products. with a large number of local, national and international companies. Currently, QIMR has contracts with over 30 In 2012-13, QIMR worked to develop a more comprehensive national and international biotechnology and pharmaceutical commercialisation strategy that was launched in July 2013.
PATENT PORTFOLIO
New treatment patents
Vaccine patents
Delivery platforms patents
Diagnostic patents
Drug target patents
Medical device patents
RESEARCH AGREEMENTS Research service agreements Clinical trial agreements Intellectual property agreements Others
Page 34 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 RELATED COMMERCIAL Vaccine Solutions Pty Ltd QIMR is a shareholder in Vaccine Solutions Pty Ltd, a ENTITIES company established to commercialise intellectual property resulting from the CRC for Vaccine Technology. Trust for Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Vaccine Q-Pharm Pty Limited Technology (CRCVT Trust I) Q-Pharm Pty Limited is a specialised contract research organisation that undertakes a broad range of early phase QIMR is the Trustee of the CRC for Vaccine Technology (Phase I and Phase II) clinical trials for clients in the global Trust, a trust managing shares in VacTx Ltd on behalf of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. QIMR holds participants of the CRC. a 24.5% share and Q-Pharm pays a licence fee per annum to QIMR to lease office, laboratory and clinical trial ward facilities in the Clive Berghofer Cancer Research Centre, and Trust for the Cooperative Research for information technology services and stores services. Centre (CRC) for Vaccine Technology (CRCVT Trust II)
QIMR is the Trustee of the CRC for Vaccine Technology (CRC –VT) Trust (CRCT Trust II), a trust responsible for managing patent families and licensing agreements on behalf of those participating in the CRC for Vaccine Technology, which was abolished in June 2006.
Page 35 SOCIETAL IMPACTS
In order to achieve QIMR’s mission of better health through Professor David Whiteman, the head of QIMR’s Cancer medical research, its researchers target some of the world’s Control Group, is bringing together Australia’s seven major most debilitating diseases, including cancer, malaria and oesophageal cancer research teams, to form a Centre of mental illnesses. Gaining support from funding bodies, the Research Excellence. government and the community, QIMR has an obligation to demonstrate the value of medical research in improving Professor Whiteman’s research has already shown that health and the quality of life and addressing the major health heavy alcohol consumption more than doubles the risk of needs of society. dying from a particular type of oesophageal cancer. More than three drinks a day, over a lifetime, make a person more likely to get oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma ADDRESSING SOCIETY’S (OSCC) and more likely to die from it. QIMR has also developed a prediction model to identify HEALTH NEEDS people at high risk of developing another subtype – oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC). Cancer Triple-negative breast cancer With one in two Australians being diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85, half of QIMR’s research is focused on Breast cancer research is a QIMR strength and in 2012-13 the genetic and environmental causes of cancer and looking the Institute published several significant findings into triple- at ways to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment negative breast cancer (TNBC), a particular subtype with a of cancer. poor prognosis.
About 15-20 per cent of breast cancers do not have any of Oesophageal Cancer the three receptors usually found on breast cancer cells. This subtype, TNBC, usually affects younger women and there is an urgent clinical need for new treatment options.
Professor Kum Kum Khanna and Dr Fares Al-Ejeh from QIMR’s Signal Transduction Laboratory have shown that a particular new combination of treatments can stop breast cancer recurrence and regrowth in mice.
Researchers had previously noted that TNBC tumours had an overload of proteins known as EGFR, which encourage the cancer’s growth. Dr Al-Ejeh has shown that targeting radiation specifically to the EGFR, along with a dramatically reduced dose of chemotherapy, not only destroys the original cancer, but also the cancer stem cells which drive Professor Frank Gannon, The Honourable Tanya Plibersek MP and Professor the cancer’s recurrence. David Whiteman at the announcement of the $2.4 million NHMRC award for a Centre of Research Excellence for oesophageal cancer. Meanwhile, eminent cancer immunologist Professor The incidence of oesophageal cancer is rising faster than Mark Smyth has published significant findings into a new any other cancer in Australia. About 1000 people are treatment target for triple-negative breast cancer. diagnosed each year and seven in 10 will die within five Professor Smyth joined QIMR in 2013 to establish the years. The main risk factors are acid reflux and obesity and Immunology in Cancer and Infection Laboratory. the common reflux condition Barrett’s Oesophagus can also lead to cancer. He was part of an international team which found that an enzyme known as CD73 makes TNBC less responsive In August 2012, QIMR was awarded $2.4 million by the to chemotherapy. The enzyme sits on the surface of Federal Government to study the causes of oesophageal cancer cells and produces the immune suppressive cancer and work towards new prevention strategies molecule, adenosine. and treatment. High levels of the enzyme, known as CD73, predicted a poorer response to chemotherapy and lower survival rates in mice.
Page 36 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 Infectious diseases Mental health and
QIMR was established in 1945 to combat tropical diseases complex disorders affecting Queensland, and infectious disease remains a The focus of the Mental Health and Complex Disorders cornerstone of the Institute. QIMR is a world leader in a research program is to combine the existing strengths of range of conditions including malaria, HIV, schistosomiasis QIMR’s work in genetics and population health with new and scabies. Some of these may not be a major problem techniques in neurosciences. in Australia yet, but QIMR takes its global responsibilities very seriously, fully aware of the ease with which infection can spread. Migraine
Migraine is a common and distressing brain disorder which Malaria causes severe headaches lasting up to 72 hours. It affects about 14% of adults. Symptoms include throbbing, aura, Malaria kills up to one million people world-wide each year nausea, vomiting, and light and noise sensitivity. and is a significant cause of morbidity in some of Australia’s neighbouring countries. QIMR is playing a key role in finding Dr Dale Nyholt, from QIMR’s Neurogenetics Laboratory, has urgently needed vaccines by running human malaria trials played a key role in the world’s largest study of migraines, and attracting funding from international organisations such which has discovered five new genetic regions linked to as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Medicines for their onset. Malaria Venture. In all, the international team confirmed 12 genetic regions In 2012-13, Professor James McCarthy, Coordinator of associated with migraine susceptibility, opening new doors QIMR’s Infectious Disease Program, commenced a trial to understanding what causes the debilitating headaches. where volunteers are infected with a very small controlled dose of malaria before emerging drugs and vaccines The study compared the results from 29 different genomic are tested on them. Their immune responses are closely studies, including over 100,000 samples from both migraine analysed to measure the efficacy of the treatments. patients and control samples.
Volunteers finish the trial without a trace of malaria in Researchers believe many of the genetic regions are their body. interconnected and could be disrupting the internal regulation of tissue and cells in the brain. Chikungunya Anorexia Chikungunya is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquitoes. It was first described in Tanzania in 1952, and QIMR is playing a key role in the world’s largest genetic roughly translates from the Makonde language as “that investigation of anorexia nervosa. which bends up” in a graphic description of the joint pain it causes. The Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative (ANGI) was established in May 2013, to recruit 8000 women from Since then, outbreaks and epidemics have been reported Australia, US, Sweden and Denmark, in a bid to identify in tropical Africa and Asia, but also much closer to home. which genes play a role in risk for the eating disorder. Papua New Guinea recorded thousands of cases in 2013 and there has also been a marked increase in cases Professor Nick Martin, Head of QIMR’s Genetic diagnosed in Australia, from travellers who have recently Epidemiology group, is leading the data collection team in arrived in the country. Australia.
Although locally-acquired Chikungunya has not been Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder associated with low detected in Australia, mosquitoes capable of transmitting body weight, difficulty maintaining a healthy body weight, the virus occur in north Queensland. The two principal fear of weight gain, and an extreme focus on weight and mosquitoes involved in the spread are Aedes aegypti, which shape. It affects all age groups, but is particularly common in is found in North Queensland, and Aedes albopictus which is adolescent girls, affecting one in every 100. only found in a few locations in the Torres Strait.
Professor Andreas Suhrbier’s Inflammation Biology Laboratory looks at alphaviruses, like Chikungunya and Ross River, which cause arthritis. His research aims to understand how the viruses cause protracted rheumatic disease in humans so that better treatments can be developed. The laboratory has also been involved in the preclinical testing of a number of new Chikungunya virus vaccines.
Page 37 EDUCATION PROGRAM COMMUNITY
There has been a notable decline in the number of students ENGAGEMENT AND MEDIA completing science degrees, so to address this issue, QIMR’s Education Program aims to encourage students to QIMR puts a high priority on keeping the community consider a career in science. informed of its work and research outcomes through a variety of channels. In 2012-13, over 600 students and teachers visited QIMR taking part in either the High School Lecture Series or the The External Relations Department’s Community Day in the Life of a Scientist program Engagement Program delivers tours and speaking engagements to increase public awareness and support for In November 2012, QIMR launched the Day In the Life QIMR’s research. of a Scientist laboratory experience for senior science students. The program allows up to 24 students to perform In 2012-13, over 5000 people toured QIMR or heard from a hands-on investigation in QIMR’s state-of-art education a QIMR guest speaker. QIMR also kept the community laboratory, purpose built with excellent facilities. The informed through a series of research roadshows hosted at different experiments on offer were created to meet teacher, Mt Gravatt, Indooroopilly, Caloundra and Redcliffe. school and student needs and have been aligned to the senior biology curriculum. Since its launch, almost 150 The past year has also been a busy year for the Institute Queensland senior science students have undertaken the in terms of media stories, with an average of four stories Day In the Life of a Scientist laboratory experience. per day (over the entire year) with extensive national and international print, television, radio and online coverage on a More than 450 students participated in the annual High range of QIMR’s research and events including: School Lecture Series in April 2013 when they heard first • Associate Professor David Harrich’s HIV hand from researchers about science and potential career nullbasic discovery; options and tour the QIMR facilities. • Professor Adele Green’s Nambour Study and resulting discovery that daily sunscreen use can prevent skin cancer and aging; • The official opening of QIMR new research facility by philanthropist Mr Chuck Feeney; and • Professor Georgia Chenevix-Trench’s work on the world’s largest study on identifying the genetic risk of breast, prostate and ovarian cancer.
QIMR’s public seminar program continues to provide opportunities for members of the public, community groups, and health specialists to hear from the Institute’s researchers, with almost 300 people attending four different forums. A Cancer Forum was held in August 2012, a Mental Health and Ageing Forum in October 2012, a Leukaemia Forum jointly held with the Leukaemia Foundation Queensland was held in November 2012, and an Infectious Diseases Forum in April 2013.
Page 38 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 Associate Professor David Harrich, Head of QIMR’s Molecular Virology Laboratory, has developed a way to use HIV to beat HIV.
Associate Professor David Harrich, Head of QIMR’s Molecular Virology Laboratory, has developed a way to use HIV to beat HIV. After researching HIV/ AIDS for almost 30 years, he has discovered how to modify a protein in the virus so that it instead provides strong, lasting protection from infection. He is now moving toward developing this modified protein “Nullbasic” for human trials.
Globally, HIV/AIDS is now a pandemic and ranks as one of the largest killers of any infectious disease, responsible for more than 25 million deaths worldwide. The successful development of this type of one-off treatment would also have economic implications. HIV patients currently take a regime of drugs for the rest of their lives, which can be a CASE significant financial burden. Associate Professor Harrich runs the only research laboratory and containment facilities in Queensland STUDY working with the HIV virus. Associate Professor Harrich utilises QIMR’s new state-of-the-art containment facilities to carry out his work.
(left) Associate Professor David Harrich from QIMR’s HIV Molecular Virology Laboratory
Page 39 INTERNATIONAL REPUTATION
Attracting researchers, funding and collaborators from around the world, QIMR is an internationally recognised centre for medical research.
CASE STUDY
QIMR researchers have reported huge Intestinal worms such as roundworm, whipworm, success with a cartoon DVD promoting and hookworm are a major issue in rural Chinese hygiene across rural China. communities and can lead to malnutrition and stunted growth and cognitive development in children. “The Magic Glasses” movie has been screened in Worldwide, two billion people are infected with schools in Hunan province, showing children how parasitic worms. to avoid parasitic worm infection, a major issue in In the cartoon, when a small child puts on “magic rural communities. glasses” they can suddenly see worm eggs and larvae Professor Don McManus and PhD student Franziska in bright colours. Bieri, from QIMR’s Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, along with colleagues from The University of Queensland’s School of Population Health and Hunan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, showed that infection rates halved when the 10 minute cartoon was played in schools.
Page 40 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 OVERSEAS TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL
Travel by researchers and support staff is critical to LECTURES facilitate collaborations and ensure the Institute keeps pace with new technologies and techniques. For details In 2012-13, researchers from QIMR attended and presented on QIMR’s overseas travel in 2012-13 please visit at over 120 lectures throughout the world, reflecting its www.qimr.edu.au/annualreport. strong international reputation, including: • Professor Michael Breakspear lectured on complex brain networks at the University of Zurich in Switzerland; • Associate Professor Andreas Surhbier delivered a presentation on chikungunya virus, rheumatoid arthritis and viral RNA persistence at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA; and • Professor Geoff Hill presented on the immunotherapy of graft-versus-host disease at the International Society of Cell Therapy in Auckland, New Zealand.
For a full list of international lectures please see our Invited Lectures table on page 104.
MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS
Collaborations are important for sharing resource and QIMR has a diverse research program as demonstrated by expertise, facilitating joint research and publications and the extensive range of international collaborations including building networks and relationships, all of which are essential the following: for scientific excellence.
Cancer
Project Research Collaborating countries Ovarian Cancer Association Studying genetic and environmental Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Consortium risk factors to inform preventive efforts, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, screening, future drug development and UK, US treatment. Breast Cancer Association Analysing genetic and epidemiological Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Consortium data from breast cancer studies from France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, around the world. Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, US International Melanoma Genetics Identifying new melanoma risk genes Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Consortium and assessing genetic and environmental France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Latvia, interactions. Mexico, The Netherlands, Poland, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK Uruguay,US, Uruguay. Consortium for Investigators of Working on genetic modifiers of cancer Austria, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Modifiers of BRCA1/2 (CIMBA) risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation Czech Republic, Denmark, Iceland, carriers. The aim of CIMBA is to provide Italy, Israel,Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, sufficient sample sizes to allow large scale The Netherlands, France, Hungary, studies in order to evaluate reliably the Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Korea, effects of genetic modifiers. Russia, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, UK, USA
Page 41 Project Research Collaborating countries Collaborative Group on Hormonal Canada, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Cancers Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, UK, US kConfab (Kathleen Cunningham Understanding the genetics of familial Australia, New Zealand Foundation Consortium for breast cancer. Research into Familial Breast Cancer) Colon Cancer Family Registry Increasing the understanding of multiple Canada, New Zealand, Spain, US factors affect familial colorectal cancer. PRACTICAL Searching for genetic markers and Sweden, Denmark, Japan, USA, prostate cancer risk. Norway, Bulgaria, Ireland, Spain, Romania, Sweden, Finland, Thailand, India, UK, Germany, USA, Switzerland, China
Infectious Diseases
Project Research Collaborating countries Eliminate Dengue Project Developing a biological control to UK, US, Vietnam. eliminate dengue fever. International Research Alliance for Developing strategies for eliminating US, Switzerland, Mexico, UK, China. Schistosomiasis Elimination schistosomiasis from developing countries worldwide.
Mental Health and Complex Disorders
Project Research Collaborating countries International Schizophrenia Identifying the genetic causes of Ireland, Sweden, UK, US Consortium schizophrenia. Psychiatric Genome Wide Analysing the genetic causes of attention US, Sweden Association Studies Consortium deficit and hyperactivity disorder, autism, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. International IBD Consortium Investigating the genetics of inflammatory Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, bowel disease. Italy, France, Sweden, UK, Canada, USA, New Zealand International Headache Genetics Genetic causes and background of Finland, Germany, Iceland, the Consortium headache and related disorders. Netherlands, Norway, Spain, UK Evidence-based Network for the Determining genetic variants’ significance France, USA, The Netherlands, Interpretation of Germline Mutant in predisposition to breast and ovarian Germany, Italy, UK Alleles (ENIGMA) consortium cancer.
Page 42 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 OUR RESEARCH ACHIEVEMENTS
CANCER PROGRAM
Coordinator: Professor Georgia Chenevix-Trench underlying an individual’s cancer risk; studying the molecular changes that occur in precursor lesions that can give rise The Cancer Program looks closely at skin cancers, including to cancer and those that occur during the formation of a melanoma; hormone-related cancers, such as those of the tumour and its subsequent metastasis; and developing breast, prostate, ovary and endometrium; leukaemia and and testing novel therapies for cancer in the laboratory and lymphoma, including exploring the complications that can clinical trials. arise after transplantation; brain tumours; and tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. A widely based interest in metasteses By working with clinical oncologists, pathologists and is found in many of the cancer research groups. biobanks, members of the Cancer Program are leading or part of large international consortia and making great Laboratories within the Cancer Program work on identifying advances into the understanding of the genes that the genetic, epigenetic and environmental risk factors predispose individuals to many types of cancer.
ANTIGEN PRESENTATION AND IMMUNOREGULATION
Group Leader: Dr Kelli MacDonald transplantation and is highly effective in suppressing graft-versus-host disease. Furthermore, the group The Antigen Presentation and Immunoregulation Laboratory has developed strategies to specifically expand aims to investigate how donor and host antigen presenting this population in vivo, highlighting the capacity to cells (APCs) respond following bone marrow stem cell manipulate this population to control graft-versus-host transplantation (SCT). Basic research in immunology using disease post transplant. pre-clinical models follows three streams: APC development, antigen presentation, and APC induced T cell responses and • Demonstrated that immune-suppression in graft- their regulation. Importantly, these studies should lead to versus-host-disease results from corrupted antigen the development of new therapeutic protocols that can be presentation post transplant. translated to clinical practice to improve transplant outcome. • Identified non-haematopoietic APC responsible for the induction of graft-versus-host disease post transplant. Highlights: • Received NHMRC Project grant funding to study the role of MMP-9-expressing macrophages in chronic liver disease • Identified for the first time a CD8+FoxP3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) population that develops following stem cell
Page 43 BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION
Senior Scientist: Professor Geoff Hill, Highlights: Department Coordinator: Immunology • Defined the type of cells involved in antigen The Bone Marrow Transplantation Laboratory uses pre- presentation after bone marrow transplantation. clinical transplant models to dissect the immunological • Defined IL-6 as a major pathological cytokine during mechanisms of transplant rejection and aims to improve graft-versus-host disease. patient outcome through new therapies to prevent and treat graft-versus-host disease. Research focuses on pathways • Characterised a new regulatory T cell subset. of alloreactivity leading to graft-versus-host disease and • Characterised type I interferon as the major cytokine graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL) effects. The ultimate aim is to controlling anti-leukaemia effects after BMT. generate testable therapeutic interventions that attenuate graft-versus-host disease and improve GVL. • Characterised defects in immune function induced by graft-versus-host disease.
CANCER AETIOLOGY AND PREVENTION
Team Head: Associate Professor Rachel Neale Highlights:
The Cancer Aetiology and Prevention team covers three • Awarded a grant to conduct trial of vitamin D broad research areas: causes and management of supplementation in 25,000 Australian adults. pancreatic cancer; role of vitamin D in human health; and • Published a paper showing that we can predict vitamin causes and management of non-melanoma skin cancer. D deficiency with reasonable accuracy. This has led to a new grant application to validate this tool. • Published for the first time an association between human papilloma viral load and risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
CANCER AND POPULATION STUDIES
Senior Scientist: Professor Adèle Green AC Highlights:
The Cancer and Population Studies Group aims to • Showed that people with naevi (moles) on the arms are understand the causes of cancer and how to better prevent more likely to develop basal cell carcinomas than those and manage cancer. The group investigates the roles without. of environmental and personal factors in the causation • Contributed insights into the role of nutrients in the of cancer and its precursors, and in cancer prognosis. causation of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell The group collaborates with clinicians, statisticians and carcinoma. behavioural scientists and also with laboratory scientists to better understand the underlying mechanisms of • Validated the use of skin surface microtopography as carcinogenesis. Particular focuses currently are cancers of a measure of skin photoaging in people aged 40 and the skin and of the colon. over, though not past age 70 years. • Published a chapter on the epidemiology of melanoma The group aims to assess the contributions of personal in the major US textbook on women’s health. factors (including psychological and social needs) and environmental factors to quality of life, disease prognosis • Showed that the prevalence of weekend sunburn is still and survival in patients with early stage, invasive cutaneous high in Queensland especially in young male adults. melanoma in Queensland, Australia. • Published evidence from a randomised trial that sunscreen can slow the prevention of skin photoaging changes.
Page 44 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 CANCER CONTROL
Group Leader: Professor David Whiteman, Queenslanders to be followed up for the next 10 years. In Department Coordinator: Population Health 2012-13, the group completed the first data linkages to external health registers to capture skin cancer events in the The Cancer Control Group has two major areas of QSkin population. research focus: melanoma and skin cancer; and upper gastrointestinal neoplasia. In addition, the Group Leader is Highlights: also a co-investigator on projects investigating pancreatic, • Awarded $2.5 million for a NHMRC Centre of Research thyroid, cervical and liver cancer. Excellence. The group has primary strength in epidemiological • Completed data linkage for the QSkin study. approaches to the study of cancer. Historically, the focus has been directed towards cancers of two main organ systems: • Developed models to describe the incidence of the skin, and the gastro-intestinal tract. oesophageal adenocarcinoma in the Australian population. The group’s largest enterprise currently is the QSkin • Published more than 10 publications. study, a prospective cohort study of more than 43,000
CANCER DRUG MECHANISM
Team Head: Dr Glen Boyle is investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression and metastasis of melanoma, head and neck The recently formed Cancer Drug Mechanisms Group cancer, as well as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. combines expertise in cancer biology with drug studies. These molecular mechanisms also impact on drug resistance of cancers. The identification and understanding The group’s work on cancer biology currently focuses of aberrantly regulated pathways in these cancers is crucial on understanding the development and progression of prior to the design or identification of suitable agents to treat cancers of the skin and oral cavity. Specifically, the group these diseases.
CANCER GENETICS
Group Leader: Professor Georgia Chenevix-Trench • Demonstrated in mouse models of the efficacy of anti- EGFR directed radioimmunotherapy combined with The Cancer Genetics Laboratory investigates why some radio-sensitising chemotherapy and PARP inhibitor for people get cancer, and how these cancers, particularly those the treatment of triple negative breast cancer. of the breast, ovary and stomach, develop from a normal cell. The laboratory also looks at why these cancers are • Demonstrated the value of restoring DNA from archival often found together in the same families and share many formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues for genomic similar characteristics. profiling by SNP-CGH analysis. • Shown that women from breast cancer families who do Highlights: not carry mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2, but instead • Completed the first analyses of the largest cancer are in the top quartile of polygenic risk, have a risk of genetics experiment ever undertaken. developing contralateral breast cancer that is similar to that of a BRCA2 mutation carrier. • Identified 49 genetic polymorphisms associated with risk of breast cancer. • Developed mouse models of breast-to-brain metastasis and shown that an activating mutation in the EGFR • Identified nine new ovarian cancer risk loci. gene can render a tumorigenic breast line capable of • Demonstrated that the polymorphisms at the TERT colonising the brain. gene that underlie breast and ovarian cancer risk are usually distinct from those associated with telomere length.
Page 45 CANCER IMMUNOREGULATION AND IMMUNOTHERAPY
Team Head: Dr Michele Teng Highlights:
The Cancer Immunoregulation and Immunotherapy Group • Demonstrated that Tim-3 positive Tregs are selectively looks at tumour induced immune suppression, Tregs, IL-23 enriched in tumours but not in the periphery and and checkpoint receptors (PD-1/TIM-3/LAG-3). therefore represent a novel target for depletion. • Demonstrated that skewing the balance between IL-12/IL-23 can resolve nascent tumour in a de novo mouse model of cancer.
CONJOINT GASTROENTEROLOGY
Laboratory Head: Professor Barbara Leggett well as identifying genes hypermethylated in these cancer subgroups. The main focus of the Conjoint Gastroenterology Laboratory is in understanding the molecular, histological, clinical and • Described a new type of chromosomal instability epidemiological features of a particular class of polyps called associated with BRAF mutation that is defined by serrated polyps, as well as the cancers they may develop regional copy number variation. into. The group is studying a large series of colorectal polyps • Reviewed over 6,000 bowel polyps to establish the and cancers using technologies to examine genome-wide frequency of different polyp types and identified a study changes in DNA methylation, gene expression and copy population to examine the molecular features of polyps number variation. The laboratory aims to identify molecular at different stages of progression. changes associated with high risk of polyp progression, and to identify key pathways altered in colorectal • Commenced collaboration with QIMR’s Cancer and cancer subgroups. Population Studies Group to examine epidemiological aspects of serrated polyp development. Highlights: • Demonstrated that expression of the BRAF V600E • Completed a proof of principle pilot DNA methylation mutation in the adult mouse intestine leads to microarray project that identified cancer subgroups hyperplasia, which likely equates to early serrated polyp based on BRAF and KRAS mutation status, as development.
CONTROL OF GENE EXPRESSION
Laboratory Head: Professor Frank Gannon, analysis of the processes by which the estrogen receptor CEO and Director recruited the RNA polymerase and initiated transcription (Métivier et al., Cell 115, 2003; Métivier et al., EMBO The Control of Gene Expression laboratory has recently reports 7, 2006). started at QIMR, focussing on the control of gene expression. The leader of the laboratory, Frank Gannon, has A focus on histone modifications that occur in conjunction been active in this area of research for very many years, but with the onset and silencing of transcription has been the had interrupted his research career when he took a position focus of the work of Dr Jason Lee who has joined the as Director General of Science Foundation Ireland, the laboratory. His research activities grow from the histone national funding agency in Ireland. He moved to Brisbane modification aspects through to the effects of modifying as the Director and CEO of QIMR in 2011 and now has enzymes on other cellular targets and their consequences in established a research activity there. cellular physiology.
The research of the group is designed to achieve a better Whereas the focus of the group radiates from the estrogen understanding of the specifics of the control of gene receptor, the general questions of epigenetic control of expression. The most recent research on which the current gene expression will be examined in diverse systems. In all projects are built was the demonstration of transient cyclical cases the aim is to develop insights that can be translated to DNA methylation and demethylation (Kangaspeska et al., different disease settings. Nature 452, 2008). This work followed from earlier detailed
Page 46 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 DRUG DISCOVERY
Group Leader: Professor Peter Parsons Highlights:
The Drug Discovery Group combines expertise in • Confirmed that the efficacy of EBC-46 is due to cancer biology with genomics and drug discovery. Cell haemorrhagic necrosis. communication networks in serious cancers reveal • Discovered EBC-46-like molecules in other responses that provide opportunities for prevention plant species. and treatment. • Noted first indications that the efficacy of EBC-46 in vivo can be inhibited by pharmacological agents.
FUNCTIONAL CANCER GENOMICS
Team Head: Dr Stacey Edwards Highlights:
The Functional Cancer Genomics team is focused on • Published paper in the American Journal of Human post-GWAS (genome-wide association studies) functional Genetics; Functional Variants at the 11q13 Breast characterisation of breast and ovarian cancer genetics. Cancer Risk Loci Regulate Cyclin D1 Expression through Long-Range Enhancers. More than 60 different breast cancer risk loci and nine • Published in Nature Genetics; Multiple independent ovarian cancer loci have now been discovered via GWAS, variants at the TERT locus are associated with telomere but until recently it has not been possible to identify the length and risks of breast and ovarian cancer. variants that are directly responsible for the increased risk. Importantly, the majority of variants lie within non-coding • Authored paper in Nature Genetics; DNaseI- regions of the genome and appear to act as enhancers hypersensitive exons co-localize with promoters and of genes through long-range interactions mediated by the distal regulatory elements. formation of chromatin loops. Over the last year, the team • Published senior author review in Genes, have developed a successful strategy for analysing these Chromosomes and Cancer. regulatory regions to narrow down the candidate causative variants at each area and describe their likely actions in breast cancer.
FUNCTIONAL GENETICS
Team Head: Dr Juliet French Highlights:
The Function Genetics Group is focused on the post-GWAS • Authored a paper in Nature Genetics describing the functional characterisation of breast and ovarian cancer loci. fine-mapping of the TERT locus for breast cancer risk In collaboration with geneticists at Cambridge and QIMR and functional follow-up. the Group is fine-mapping breast cancer loci to pinpoint the • Published in American Journal of Human Genetics likely causal variants. The majority of variants fall in non- describing the fine-mapping of the genetic association coding regions of the genome suggesting the regulatory at 11q13 and functional follow-up. elements and non-coding RNAs are likely mechanisms of the associated risk.
Page 47 GENOMIC BIOLOGY
Team Head: Dr Nicole Cloonan Our current research focus is determining the relationship between miRNAs and drug sensitivity, with the short term aim Choice of chemotherapy has relied on data from populations of using these as markers in personalised therapy, and the rather than individuals, but the recently available cancer long term aim of using these as adjunct chemosensitisers. genomic data shows that every cancer is different. To personalise therapy, doctors need to move away from Highlights: treating cancers based on where they develop in the body, • Identified the relationship between miRNAs and EGRF and instead move towards treating what has gone wrong in inhibitor sensitivity. the cells of the individual patient. • Identified novel biology behind miR-139’s link to metastasis and migration function.
GYNAECOLOGICAL CANCERS
Group Leader: Associate Professor Penny Webb • Observed that aspirin use may be associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer, particularly among The Gynaecological Cancers Group investigates all aspects obese women. of cancer, particularly gynaecological cancer, from aetiology to diagnosis, patterns of care, quality of life and survival. • Observed that only about one third of women with A particular focus is on the role of environmental (non- ovarian cancer complete the recommended six cycles of genetic) factors and the interaction between genetic and combination chemotherapy. environmental factors in the causation of gynaecological • Published a paper suggesting that although obese cancer. More recently, this has extended to assessing women are at greatly increased risk of endometrial how gynaecological cancers are managed in Australia and cancer, if they lose weight their risk is reduced again. investigating the role of lifestyle in determining quality of life and survival after a diagnosis of cancer. Much of this work is • Contributed to international pooled analyses showing conducted within three national population-based studies: that tubal sterilization reduces risk of ovarian cancer but the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study (AOCS), the Ovarian smoking increases risk of the mucinous subtype. Cancer Patterns of Care Study (POCS) and the Australian • Showed women with ovarian cancer report needing National Endometrial Cancer Study (ANECS). ongoing assistance to deal with psychological and physical needs over the first two years after first-line Highlights: treatment. Risk factors for unmet needs included older • Conducted an international pooled analysis showing age, advanced disease, anxiety, depression, insomnia that obesity is associated with increased risks of and lower social support. non-serous ovarian cancer, but does not appear to increase risk of the most common and most aggressive high-grade serous subtype.
IMMUNOLOGY IN CANCER AND INFECTION
Senior Scientist: Professor Mark Smyth • Demonstrated that NK cells contribute to the pre- metastatic niche. The Immunology in Cancer and Infection Group study the immune reaction to cancer in mouse models and cancer • Showed that IL-12 and IL-23 have opposing roles in patients (most notably in multiple myeloma). immune-mediated tumour dormancy. • Demonstrated that NLRP3 promotes skin cancer Highlights: in mice. • Showed that CD73-deficient mice are resistant to • Showed that non classical MHC H2-M3 recognises carcinogenesis. Ly-49A. • Identified that radiotherapy combines with • Showed that host immunity contributes to antibody-based immunotherapy in mouse models anti-melanoma activity of Braf inhibitors. of breast cancer.
Page 48 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION OF QUEENSLAND LABORATORY
Group Leader: Professor Andrew Boyd Highlights:
The Leukaemia Foundation Group are investigating • Discovered the role of EphA3 in glioma. tumour-associated genes in cancer, in particular Eph, • Identified EphA4 as a target in motor nerve injury and ephrin and Nfib in leukaemia, sarcomas and brain tumours. disease. The group’s research includes basic cancer biology and development of targeted therapies.
MOLECULAR CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY
Group Leader: Associate Professor Amanda Spurdle • Published a statistical model for classification of variants in MMR genes. The Molecular Cancer Epidemiology Laboratory studies breast, ovarian, endometrial, colon and prostate cancer, • Demonstrated inadequacy of collection of family history with a focus on identifying molecular signatures of normal data in the clinical setting, and poor referral of patients and tumour tissue that can point to the genetic and for genetic testing. environmental causes of these cancers. The laboratory • Applied five tier quantitative and qualitative classification covers a range of projects with the themes of cancer system to an international database of MMR gene epidemiology and molecular pathology. variants. Highlights: • Investigated endometrial tumour features as positive and negative predictors of germline MMR gene • Demonstrated that a BRCA1 variant with intermediate mutation status. functional activity are associated with moderate risk of cancer.
ONCOGENOMICS
Senior Scientist: Professor Nick Hayward Highlights:
The Oncogenomics Laboratory researches the genetics • Helped identify a variant in the FTO gene associated and genomics of melanoma, mouse models of multiple with melanoma risk in the general population. endocrine neoplasia type 1 and the molecular genetics of • Helped identify a recurrent activating ‘drug targetable’ Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal cancer. mutation in RAC1 that occurs in 5% of sun exposed melanomas. The laboratory is interested in investigating the process of cancer development at the level of individual cancer • Completed the largest and most comprehensive predisposition genes, and by looking at the whole genome genetic analysis of melanomas of unknown primary, scale. Better understanding the genetic events that cause revealing insights into the origin of this rare subset of cancer is hoped to lead to better ways of diagnosing or tumours. treating cancers in the future. • Completed the first population-based study of germline BAP1 mutations in uveal melanoma cases. • Helped show that a germline BAP1 splice mutation in a family with uveal and cutaneous melanoma also confers predisposition to paraganglioma.
Page 49 RADIATION BIOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY
Group Leader: Professor Martin Lavin Highlights:
The Radiation Biology and Oncology Group is focuses on: • Generated the first stem cells from patients with A-T. • Investigating the molecular basis of autosomal • Produced two rat models for A-T. recessive ataxias including ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) • Generated first mouse model for ataxia oculomotor and ataxia oculomotor apraxia type 2 (AOA2); apraxia type 2. • Early detection of prostate cancer; and • Identified new autophosphorylation sites during ATM • Venomics-developing a serum tube for analyte activation. determination. • Demonstrated that ATM-dependent Rad50 phosphorylation is important in DNA repair and cell cycle control. • Demonstrated a novel role for SMG-1 protein in stress granule formation. • Cloned and characterised genes from a snake venom gland.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION
Group Leader: Professor Kum Kum Khanna Highlights:
The Signal Transduction Group’s major focus of research • Developed a novel combination therapy that prevents is on signalling pathways that maintain genome stability breast cancer recurrence in preclinical models. during normal cell division cycle and in the face of DNA • Provided a mechanistic explanation as to how KAP1 damage. The group seek to exploit dysregulation of phosphorylation might regulate heterochromatin repair. these pathways in breast cancer to develop new targeted therapeutic approaches. • Generated a mouse model of SSB1 and uncovered its essential developmental role in the regulation of skeletogenesis. • Contributed significantly to the development of a therapeutic approach against glioblastoma; radioimmunotherapy using anti-EphA3 antibody.
Page 50 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 TUMOUR MICRO-ENVIRONMENT
Team Head: Dr Andreas Moller of distant organs by modifying cell differentiation and behaviours to generate permissive environments (pre- The Tumour Microenvironment Team investigates how metastatic niches) at these sites. These pre-metastatic epithelial cancer cells interact with surrounding non-tumour niches promote metastatic growth of subsequently arriving stromal cells to enable tumour progression and metastatic tumour cells, and the aim is to translate findings into spread to distant tissues. prognostic, diagnostic and curative treatment options for cancer patients. Work in the laboratory focuses on how low oxygen (hypoxic) environments and other stress conditions experienced by Highlights: tumours change the interaction and communication between the tumour cells and fibroblasts, immune and endothelial • Investigated pre-metastatic niche induced by tumour cells, with a focus on three main processes crucial to tumour cell hypoxia. progression. Firstly, the group is interested how tumour • Found neo-angiogenesis is controlled by Siah ubiquitin cells initiate new blood vessel formation (neo-angiogenesis) ligases. under hypoxia and ways to prevent or alter these processes. Secondly, the laboratory investigates the mechanisms • Determined the underlying mechanisms of pre- that control epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), an metastatic niche formation. essential process for tumour cells to invade the stroma, • Determined that the hypoxic response pathway in enter the vascular system and metastasise to distant tissues. breast cancer cells mediates pre-metastatic niche formation in distant tissues. The third research topic of the laboratory centres around investigating how a hypoxic tumour can alter the tissue • Identificated that the hypoxia-regulator Siah controls neo-angiogenesis in breast cancer.
TRANSLATIONAL LEUKAEMIA RESEARCH
Team Head: Dr Steven Lane Highlights:
The Translational Leukaemia Research Team is researching • Identified novel pathways of stem cell mobilisation. myeloid blood cancers such as acute myeloid leukaemia • Identified genetic susceptibilities of leukaemia stem (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and the cells. myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). These are very aggressive and rapidly fatal blood cancers that are among • Targeted disease-initiating stem cell populations the most common types of cancer affecting Australians. through targeted inhibitors of Jak2 signalling or through The laboratory’s efforts are concentrated on understanding inhibition of self-renewal pathways within stem cell how leukaemia stem cells in AML and MPN are able to populations. regenerate leukaemia (or cause relapse in patients), even after cytotoxic chemotherapy. To achieve this, research has focused on generating robust models of leukaemia and dissecting the pathways of self-renewal in leukaemia stem cells and normal blood stem cells.
Page 51 INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Coordinator: Professor James McCarthy aims to use strong collaborations to improve the health of many. QIMR’s Infectious Diseases Program studies how a range of important pathogenic organisms cause illness, investigates QIMR is a founding member of the Queensland Tropical improved diagnosis and treatment techniques and develops Health Alliance (QTHA), which is designed to enhance vaccines to prevent infections. The Program focuses its work collaborations and networking in tropical health issues, and on conditions that have major impacts in the developing the Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre (AID), world and tropical regions. which supports research into diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and schistosomiasis. QIMR’s collaboration The Program researches HIV, cytomegalovirus (CMV), with James Cook University, Griffith University, QUT, and The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), mosquito-borne viruses; bacteria University of Queensland through the QTHA and again with such as streptococci; and parasites such as malaria, the University of Queensland though AID brings strength and intestinal protozoa, worms and scabies. focus for plans to address serious tropical and infectious disease issues through Queensland, across Australia, and in Working closely with clinicians, other research institutes, and the Asia-Pacific region. pharmaceutical companies, the Infectious Disease Program
BACTERIAL PATHOGENESIS
Group Leader: Professor Sri Sriprakash Highlights:
The Bacterial Pathogenesis Laboratory undertakes research • Found the population endemic for Streptococcus into the two human pathogens Streptococcus pyogenes pyogenes and S. dysgalactiae subsp equisimilis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp equisimilis. S. colonisation exhibit increased recovery of novel pyogenes is a leading cause of bacterial related death in recombinants with possible increased pathogenic humans. Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp equisimilis is a potential. related species whose contribution to disease is only now • Designed and demonstrated the efficacy against S. being understood. These two bacterial species cause a pyogenes infection of recombinant vaccine candidate number of diseases that target different organs in the body. representing variants from the conserved regions of the The laboratory’s research is aimed at understanding the M protein. By this design, the group have eliminated the pathogenic processes associated with infection by these need for using extraneous sequences for maintaining organisms, and developing novel strategies to prevent the conformation of the vaccine candidate. streptococcal disease. • Showed that past infection with SIC-positive group The group also has a research interest in bacterial A streptococcus is a risk factor for chronic kidney colonisation of medical devices. The insertion of a catheter disease and that SIC seropositivity is predictive of poor into a vein provides a portal by which bacteria can cross the prognosis of CKD patients. skin and enter normally sterile body sites, thereby causing disease. The group in interested in characterising the pathogenic and non-pathogenic species that colonise these devices, identifying the sources of bacterial contamination, and ultimately developing novel technologies or practices that reduce device colonisation.
Page 52 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 BIOINFORMATICS
Team Head: Dr Lutz Krause • Started de novo sequencing of Schistosoma bovis genome. The Bioinformatics Team develops and applies bioinformatics methods in the context of biomedical research. It specialises • Established several bioinformatics pipelines for in biomarker discovery, infectious diseases and genetics and analysing next-generation sequencing data, which are epigenetics of complex disorders. widely used for calling SNPs and analysing RNAseq, MeDIP-seq and Chip-seq data. The Team’s research focus is on investigating the role of the • Identified mutations and rearrangements important human microbiota in health and disease, revealing the role of for cancer initiation and progression using whole- epigenetics in depression and the discovery of biomarkers genome and exome sequencing of oesophageal for progression, personalised treatment and prognosis of adenocarcinoma samples in collaboration with oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Princess Alexandra Hospital and the Institute for Highlights: Molecular Bioscience. • Identified potential biomarkers for prognosis • Conducted a genome-wide epigenetic association and personalised treatment in oesophageal study in oesophageal adenocarcinoma and Barrett’s adenocarcinoma. oesophagus. • Published a genome-wide epigenetic association study • Investigated the role of human microbiota in various in the context of major depressive disorder. diseases and disorders including cystic fibrosis, diabetes and parasite-bacteria co-infections.
BIOMARKERS AND BIOLOGY OF INFECTION RELATED CANCERS
Team Head: Dr Jason Mulvenna • Characterised proteomics of Necator americanus for hookworm genome project. Highlights: • Discovered potential miRNA markers for • Characterised structure of TSP-2, a vaccine antigen for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. schistosomiasis.
CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY
Group Leader: Associate Professor Scott Burrows Highlights:
The Cellular Immunology Group focuses on the T cell • Showed that the dominant T cells of the immune immune response to viral infection, particularly Epstein-Barr system remain stable throughout life. virus which causes glandular fever and is associated with • Showed that individual T cells of the immune system various malignancies and autoimmunity. The molecular are programmed to recognise peptides of a particular interactions that control the specificity of T cells recognition size. of virus-infected cells are complex and could hold the key to preventing Epstein-Barr virus associated diseases. • Showed that very minor genetic differences between people can have a major influence on their immune response to pathogens.
Page 53 CLINICAL TROPICAL MEDICINE
Senior Scientist: Professor James McCarthy A particular interest in this laboratory is the study of drug resistance in a range of parasites, and the development of The Clinical Tropical Medicine Laboratory investigates novel diagnostic techniques. how parasites such as the malaria parasite, hookworm, threadworm and scabies cause disease and how they Highlights: become resistant to drugs used to treat them. The group • Defined the effectiveness of the experimental also identifies new drugs and drug targets, and develops antimalarial OZ439. novel diagnostic techniques. • Developed tests to measure the prevalence and The focus of this laboratory is to apply modern techniques intensity of parasite infections in East Timor. in microbiology, molecular biology and immunology to study clinical problems associated with infectious diseases in • Developed a system to undertake experimental blood tropical environments. stage Plasmodium vivax malaria infections. • Begun a Phase I study of a new vaccine for group A streptococcus.
HIV MOLECULAR VIROLOGY
Group Leader: Associate Professor David Harrich Highlights:
The HIV Molecular Virology Group investigates fundamental • Showed a novel protein inhibitor of HIV called Nullbasic mechanisms of virus replication with an overall goal to provided excellent protection from infection in human identify key virus and host interactions required to support cells in vitro. optimal virus replication. A main research direction is analysis • Identified two cellular proteins that enable early steps of of a HIV-1 specific process called reverse transcription by HIV-1 infection. which the viral RNA genome is converted into DNA that can be inserted into human chromosomes, a permanent • Discovered two unidentified host proteins controlling and irreversible event. Using biochemical assays developed the function of an important HIV-1 regulatory protein at QIMR, the Molecular Virology Group identified human called Rev. proteins subverted by HIV to complete reverse transcription. • Challenged the role of a host protein called PRMT6 as an HIV-1 restriction factors. A role for PRTM6 in regulating a critical HIV-1 protein called Tat, other than on increased protein stability, remains unclear.
HUMAN IMMUNITY
Team Head: Dr John Miles Highlights:
The Human Immunity Laboratory studies the immune • Deconstructed the proliferating neonate T cell processes which determine the host’s response to infectious repertoire. disease, cancer and innocuous agents. The team’s research • Led the first study to deep sequence the human alpha/ focuses on T cells and their ligands, exploring receptor beta T cell repertoire over decades of life. genetics, biology, engagement and molecular structure across a number of human disease systems. The team • Described the antigen recognition compartmentalisation used information from these basic studies to modify T cell of the human T cell repertoire. interactions and T cell repertoires for use in rational vaccine • Authored two reviews on manipulating the immune design and therapeutic interventions. system for therapeutic purposes. • Involved in studies revealing the basic mechanisms behind human T cell function.
Page 54 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
Group Leader: Dr Christian Engwerda Highlights:
The Immunology and Infection Laboratory continues to try • Identified Blimp-1 as an important T cell transcription and understand why some immune responses safely control factor for inducing immunoregulatory IL-10 during parasite growth and protect against re-infection, whereas malaria and leishmania. others cause disease during malaria and leishmaniasis. • Showed that CTLA-4 blocks anti-malaria immune The research has moved from a primary focus on studying responses. immune regulation during parasite infections in pre-clinical models of disease to validating our findings from these • Discovered that a specialised T cell population models using samples from patients and volunteers produces IL-17 very early during leishmania infection deliberately infected with the parasites that the laboratory and suppresses the ability of monocytes to kill works on. parasites. • Identified new and critical roles for monocytes in visceral leishmaniasis. • Discovered that type I interferons suppress anti- parasitic T cell responses in a pre-clinical model of visceral leishmaniasis, as well as in clinical samples from leishmania patients.
INFLAMMATION BIOLOGY
Group Leader: Professor Andreas Suhrbier • Uncovered the similarity in the inflammatory disease seen in chikungunya virus and rheumatoid arthritis, The Inflammation Biology Laboratory is developing and which suggests drugs being developed for rheumatoid exploiting knowledge about interactions between viruses arthritis may find utility in the treatment of alphaviral and the immune system to develop new anti-cancer, antiviral diseases such as Ross River virus and chikungunya and anti-inflammation strategies. disease. Highlights: • Showed that deficiency in interferon responses in alphaviral infections is sufficient for haemorrhagic fever • Illustrated the utility of ingenol mebutate for field- and shock. directed therapy of actinic keratoses to prevent future development of skin cancers.
MALARIA BIOLOGY
Laboratory Head: Associate Professor Don Gardiner Highlights:
The Malaria Biology Laboratory researched the molecular • Completed the first ever screen for anti-transmission and cellular processes involved in critical phases of the blocking agents for malaria. malaria parasite life cycle in order to identify novel drug • Identified a novel orally bioavailable anti-malaria targets and to translate fundamental biological research compound. into new interventions for the control of malaria. The laboratory had a fully integrated research program that used • Solved the crystal structure of the P. falciparum M18 established research methods in conjunction with recent aspartyl aminopeptidase. advances in malaria transgenics, molecular modelling and in vivo and in vitro testing.
Page 55 MALARIA IMMUNOLOGY
Team Head: Dr Ashraful Haque Highlights:
The Malaria Immunology Team use state of the art in vivo • Demonstrated that CD8- dendritic cells are techniques to assess the immune response to Plasmodium suppressed via type I interferon signalling during infection. The Team’s aim is to modulate the immune system experimental malaria. to improve control of parasites. • Used mathematical and in vivo modelling techniques to determine that parasite sequestration in peripheral tissues drives large increases in parasite biomass during severe malaria. • Demonstrated the role of IRF7 in suppressing T cell immunity to Plasmodium.
MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
Team Head: Dr Michelle Wykes • Investigating the kinetics of red cell clearance during malaria. The Molecular Immunology Team focuses on three areas: Highlights: • Identifying the role of PD-1 in malaria; • European Journal of Immunology commissioned a • Exploring their role of synthetically generated commentary on the group’s publication showing why immunological proteins as novel therapies for antibody-based malaria vaccines may not protect. malaria; and
MOLECULAR PARASITOLOGY
Senior Scientist: Professor Don McManus • Defined the risk factors for helminth infections in a rural and a peri-urban setting of the Dongting Lake The Molecular Parasitology Laboratory researches the area, China. biology, pathogenesis and epidemiology of parasitic worms that cause major clinical disease (schistosomiasis, • Completed a five-year longitudinal assessment of the echinococcosis (hydatid disease), soil transmitted downstream impact on schistosomiasis transmission in helminthiases), with the aim of developing new public health China following closure of the Three Gorges Dam. interventions, including vaccines, and diagnostic procedures • Demonstrated that the insulin receptor is an effective that will lead to their elimination through integrated control. transmission blocking veterinary vaccine target for zoonotic Schistosoma japonicum. Highlights: • Completed a cluster-randomised trial demonstrating • Determined the diagnostic value of non- that a video-based health education package prevents invasive biomarkers for stage-specific diagnosis soil-transmitted helminth infections in Chinese of hepatic fibrosis in patients with advanced school children. schistosomiasis japonica. • Published a major article in the New England Journal of • Identified signalling pathways as putative targets for Medicine describing the highly successful outcome of a control interventions against schistosomiasis. health education package to prevent worm infections in • Completed a five year longitudinal study of Chinese schoolchildren. schistosomiasis transmission in an endemic area in • Published a major review article in the New England Schuan Province, China. Journal of Medicine on chronic enteropathogens in • Undertook an extensive proteomic characterisation of returning travellers. Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst fluid from sheep, • Published a major review on the structure and function cattle and humans. of invertebrate Kunitz serine protease inhibitors. • Defined a role for peroxisome proliferator-activated • Completed a draft genomic sequence for Echinococcus receptors in the immunopathology of schistosomiasis. granulosus in collaboration with Chinese colleagues. • Showed the value of schistosomiasis research in the Dongting Lake region and its impact on local and national control strategies in China.
Page 56 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 MOLECULAR VACCINOLOGY
Group Leader: Professor Denise Doolan, Highlights: Department Coordinator: Biology • Identified four new malaria antigens as targets of The Molecular Vaccinology Laboratory’s research is focused infection-blocking protective immunity against malaria, on rational vaccine design, primarily for malaria, and and showed that antigen combinations are more encompasses core themes of: effective than individual antigens. • Established that antigens that are highly reactive for • Basic research on immune mechanisms and adjuvant T cells are not dominant for antibodies and are highly activity; conserved; these data overturn conventional dogma • Antigen and epitope discovery from genomic sequence and suggest that new strategies are required for T cell data using protein microarrays and epitope prediction based vaccine development. algorithms with biologically relevant laboratory and field • Produced protein microarrays for Plasmodium vivax to specimens; and identify excellent candidates for a malaria vaccine or • Pre-clinical research and development of antigen and diagnostic test. epitope based molecular vaccine technologies. • Identified an adjuvant that activates dermal dendritic cells, a specialised cell type shown to be important for cross-presenting antigens and activating CD8+ T cells. • Developed a high throughput adjuvant screening assay to identify novel adjuvants to enhance cell mediated immunity. • Showed that a natural product derived from rainforests can protect against malaria, in a mouse model. • Evaluated a novel platform technology capable of presenting multiple epitopes from a complex pathogen in an authentic manner that maintains the native antigenic structure. • Evaluated the vaccine potential of a novel bacterial platform shown to be effective for drug delivery.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
Group Leader: Professor Brian Kay Highlights:
Research in the Mosquito Control Laboratory focuses on • Wrote and edited a book on a world-first eradication of the biology and control of mosquito-borne viruses such as the Australian southern saltmarsh mosquito from New dengue, Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus. This Zealand. laboratory is designated by the World Health Organization • Completed of a 5,000 household survey of Brisbane to (WHO) as an official global Collaborating Centre for determine presence of exotic mosquitoes. Environmental Management for Vector Control. • Identified several proteins which can be used to The laboratory specialises in designing new mosquito determine mosquito age. surveillance and control strategies and has strong • Conducted the first Wolbachia release for dengue collaborative linkages with dengue prevention research control in Vietnam. groups in Vietnam and Australia. Mosquito Control researchers also work directly with State and local government in Queensland on mosquito control and all mosquito-transmitted arboviruses.
Page 57 PROTEIN DISCOVERY CENTRE
Group Leader: Professor Jeff Gorman Highlights:
The QIMR Protein Discovery Centre is a state-of-the- • Characterised the proteomic component of A549 cells art facility recognised as a world leader in the mass regulated by RSV infection and deduced associated spectrometry and proteomics field and is one of the most pathways. advanced and best equipped of its kind in Australia. • Developed a methodology for identifying specific The centre collaborates broadly on both national and proteoforms from ambiguous protein group international projects. database entries. The centre aims to discover the identities of proteins involved • Developed and deployed high-performance proteomic in or affected by physiological and disease processes and approaches for analysing catalytic properties and the ways in which these proteins function and interact and substrates of Kallikrein proteases that putatively to develop techniques to observe stimulated cells and the contribute to prostate cancer progression. reaction within cell proteins. • Produced recombinant RSV-NS1 protein using cell free and bacterial expression systems for structural biology and protein-protein interaction studies. • Advanced the knowledge of protein expression in the matrix of developing cartilage chondrocytes. • Produced proteomic data to revolutionalise annotation of the fungal pathogens of wheat. • Developed and validated methods for production of versatile probes of the calcitonin receptor. • Characterised asparagine hydroxylation sites on the TRPV3 protein. • Developed advanced proteomic methodologies to facilitate Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer Cancer projects involving ephrin signalling and cancer vaccines.
TUMOUR IMMUNOLOGY
Group Leader: Professor Rajiv Khanna Highlights: • Completed Phase I clinical trial on adoptive The major goal of the Tumour Immunology Laboratory is immunotherapy for stage IV nasopharyngeal carcinoma to obtain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by (in collaboration with University of Hong Kong). which an immune response to tumours may be generated, augmented and exploited for the treatment of these cancers. • Developed novel T cell based therapy for the treatment of brain cancer, glioblastoma. • Completed pre-clinical studies on the prophylactic vaccine for human cytomegalovirus to prevent birth defects. • Completed clinical testing of a new diagnostic test to predict cytomegalovirus-associated complications in transplant patients.
Page 58 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 MENTAL HEALTH/COMPLEX DISORDERS
Coordinator: Professor MICHAEL BREAKSPEAR animals and humans and the genetic basis for a number of conditions. QIMR’s Mental Health/Complex Disorders Program combines a number of disciplines to study the genetic Using brain imaging, computational modelling and and multi-factorial environmental influences in a range epidemiological studies, the Mental Health/Complex of diseases from schizophrenia and depression to Disorders Program works to bring public awaress and haemochromatosis and migraine. These conditions hold an betterunderstanding to mental illness and complex enormous burden of illness and unmet research need. disorders, while working to improve outcomes and recovery for those suffering with these diseases. QIMR utilises imaging and gene sequencing technologies to provide unprecedented insight into the biology of cells,
ASTHMA GENETICS
Team Head: Dr Manuel Ferreira Highlights: • Identified 10 loci influencing allergic sensitisation. The Asthma Genetics Team aims to identify genetic variants that influence the risk of developing asthma, understand how • Identified two new loci for asthma. genetic variants influence the risk of asthma and establish • Identified an additional regulatory variant in the IL6R clinical trials to test new treatments for asthma. gene that associates with asthma risk.
GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY
Senior Scientist: Professor Nick Martin • Discovered a new locus for melanoma on chromosome one. The Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory investigates • Contributed to genome-wide association scan (GWAS) the pattern of disease in families to assess the relative meta-analysis, which found 65 new loci for platelets importance of genes and environment in a variety of with strong therapeutic potential. important health problems and to locate the genes responsible using genome-wide association analysis. • Contributed to GWAS meta-analysis, which discovered six new loci for male pattern baldness with overlap with Highlights: prostate cancer and other diseases. • Played a leading role in the Enhancing Neuroimaging • Contributed data that uncovering three new loci Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) consortium for eczema. and identified the first confirmed locus for a brain • Contributed to discovery of a new susceptibility locus imaging phenotype, for hippocampal volume on near ODZ4 for bipolar disorder. chromosome 12. • Contributed to GWAS showing a tentative association • Conducted the first full genome sequencing project with depression on chromosome three. for a complex trait, which resulted in finding a causal variant for melanoma in MITF. • Contributed to study finding new variants for menopause and triple-negative breast cancer. HEPATIC FIBROSIS
Group Leader: Professor Grant Ramm, disease and the mechanisms associated with both their Department Coordinator: Cell and Molecular Biology transformation into collagen-producing myofibroblastic cells, as well as their role in wound healing in the regenerating liver The Hepatic Fibrosis Laboratory investigates the cellular and following liver insult. molecular mechanisms of scar tissue formation in the liver. This leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis in adult liver diseases, Highlights: such as haemochromatosis and in children, in diseases such • Demonstrated a role for diabetes as a risk as cystic fibrosis and biliary atresia. factor for severe hepatic fibrosis in patients with The group is funded by the NHMRC to further investigate haemochromatosis. the role of hepatic stellate cells in human chronic liver
Page 59 INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES GROUP
Group Leader: Dr Graham Radford-Smith Highlights:
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of diseases • Awarded grant for an ulcerative colitis GWAS. that affect the colon and small intestine, including Crohn’s • Carried out an immunochip study in collaboration with disease and ulcerative colitis. They affect up to one in every the International IBD Genetics Consortium, leading to a 200 Australians. Nature publication. IBD is a medical condition that affects the gastrointestinal • Consolidated a major collaboration with Amgen system, or gut. People with this illness often have ongoing (translational IBD research program). symptoms of tummy pain, diarrhoea, the passing of • Analysed GWAS and immunochip data to identify blood, and weight loss. They can also suffer from other molecular signatures for IBD sub-phenotypes, including conditions that affect the skin, eyes and joints. Patients acute severe colitis (and its response to different need medication for long periods of time and many have therapies) and colorectal cancer complicating colitis. bowel surgery. IBD affects both males and females, including children. • Carried out parallel studies in colorectal cancer cases complicating ulcerative colitis using exome sequencing, The group focuses on: to identify novel SNPs in this sub-group. • Identified genes associated with Crohn’s disease and • Executed a GWAS in patients with refractory ulcerative colitis. ulcerative colitis. • The role of paneth cells in ileal Crohn’s Disease. • Completion of the first phase of the Crohn’s disease • Determined disease-specific gene expression PBS study – this has investigated factors that signatures. significantly influence maintenance of response to anti- • Incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel TNF therapy across Australia and New Zealand. disease in south-east Queensland. • A research project looking into the causes of inflammatory bowel disease.
IRON METABOLISM
Group Leader: Professor Greg Anderson, Deputy Director Highlights:
The Iron Metabolism Laboratory focuses on understanding • Showed a critical role for hephaestin and related the homeostasis of the essential trace element iron in the oxidases in iron absorption. body and the natural history of disorders of iron metabolism, • Assessed the combined effects of multiple hepatic such as the iron loading disease haemochromatosis. The toxins (iron, alcohol, fat) on liver disease progression. laboratory’s work takes a broad approach from basic • Identified factors responsible for regulating molecular mechanisms to clinical applications. iron homeostasis in thalassaemia and other haemolytic anaemias. • Defined the effects of transfusion therapy on iron and haematological parameters in patients with beta thalassaemia. • Identifed mutations in iron-related genes in the Chinese population. • Assessed the efficacy of nanoparticulate oral iron supplements in rodent models.
Page 60 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 LUNG INFLAMMATION AND INFECTION
Team Head: Dr David Reid Highlights:
The Lung Inflammation and Infection Team have focused • Developed a cystic fibrosis mouse model on a new on the role of iron in promoting bacterial infection in the genetic background. This will allow novel approaches cystic fibrosis lung and whether this in turn is related to to elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of disease dysregulation of cell iron homeostasis in cystic fibrosis. pathogenesis in this lethal genetic disease. The team have spent the year breeding the necessary • Developed therapeutic approaches targeting bacterial mouse models and conducting preliminary analyses of iron iron homeostasis, which appear very active against phenotype, while collecting samples from human subjects to bacterial biofilms. conduct an epidemiological study of gene mutations related • Developed methods to examine neutrophil function in to iron homeosatsis in CF patients. The team now has the the lung and demonstration that the oxidative burst required flow cell bacterial biofilm models to allow testing of potential of airway neutrophils from CF patients is new therapeutic compounds. affected by airway environmental conditions. • Commenced a new collaboration with a bacteriophage company based in US.
MEMBRANE TRANSPORT
Group Leader: Associate Professor Nathan Subramaniam Highlights:
The major focus of the Membrane Transport Group is aimed • Showed that the presence of excess iron in at understanding how iron levels in the body are regulated, combination with a high calorie diet significantly the genes involved, their mechanism of action, and the potentiates the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver role iron plays in various disorders including liver disease disease, a relatively benign condition, to non-alcoholic and cancer. steatohepatitis with fibrosis, a disorder with significant associated morbidity and mortality. • Demonstrated in mouse models of haemochromatosis that, contrary to anecdotal belief, iron accumulation in the liver does not reflect iron loading of other organs, and is therefore not a suitable surrogate for assessment of disease potential in other organs in cases of iron overload. • Identified novel mutations in patients with atypical iron overload through novel screening strategies. • Developed and established novel and cost-effective next-generation sequencing tools for the rapid screening of genes involved in iron metabolism. • Demonstrated that in mouse studies treatment with an antioxidant and a common spice can reduce liver injury associated with excess iron and a high calorie diet.
Page 61 MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY
Group Leader: Professor Grant Montgomery, Department risk, demonstrating that the genetic factors underlying Coordinator: Genetics and Computational Biology disease are similar in European and Japanese populations, and obtaining new funding to identify the The Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory seeks to identify specific genes and pathways underlying increased genes and gene pathways contributing to risk for common disease risk. human diseases. The laboratory is a world leader in the genetics of endometriosis and works on melanoma, • Completed PhaseI genotyping for a genome-wide inflammatory bowel disease and a range of other diseases association study (GWAS) in carefully selected including asthma, migraine, depression, and alcohol, refractory and non-refractory cases to identify specific nicotine and drug dependence. The group maintains a large genes that either alone or together with key clinical biobank supporting projects in the laboratory and major variables will predict the risk of developing medically collaborations with QIMR’s Statistical Genetics, Genetic refractory ulcerative colitis. Epidemiology, Oncogenomics, Asthma Genetics and • Discovered new genomic regions associated with Neurogenetics Laboratories. increased melanoma risk including discovery of novel rare variants that predisposes to familial and Highlights: sporadic melanoma. • Led significant advances in understanding genes and • Contributed to an international consortium analysing pathways contributing to risk for endometriosis by the complex regulation of gene expression and the role finding additional genomic regions associated with of genetic varaints affecting complex disease.
NEUROGENETICS
Group Leader: Dr Dale Nyholt Highlights:
The Neurogenetics Group’s focus is on the genetic analysis • Reported six novel risk loci for androgenetic alopecia of migraine, endometriosis and traits comorbid with migraine and their association with Parkinson’s disease and including depression and epilepsy. The primary goal of this decreased fertility. research is to identify genetic risk factors that lead to new • Discovered four novel risk genes for migraine knowledge of the underlying biological pathways contributing without aura. to disease pathophysiology. • Identified five new loci in a large endometriosis meta-analysis. • Reported five novel risk loci for migraine.
NEUROIMAGING GENETICS
Group Leader: Dr Margie Wright • Identified associations between specific genes and measures of brain structure and connectivity. The Neuroimaging Genetics Group focuses on elucidating the neurobiological and genetic causes of major mental • Conducted the first GWAS meta-analysis of illnesses through the integration of structural and functional childhood intelligence. neuroimaging, measures of cognition and health and well • Identified genetic variants associated with being, and behavioural and molecular genetic approaches. bipolar disorder. The primary goal of this research is the identification of the genes and pathways that influence the structure and • Identified seven loci affecting mean telomere length. function of the human brain, and provide a window into the The findings support a causal role of telomere-length biological mechanisms leading to mental illness. variation in some age-related diseases. • Carried out GWAS met-analysis to identify genetic Highlights: variants associated with personality traits. Variation • Showed for the first time developmental changes in in personality is predictive of many outcomes in life, structural connectivity and network efficiency. including mental health. • Provided evidence for a role of genetic factors in several key brain metrics.
Page 62 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 QUANTITATIVE GENETICS
Team Head: Dr Sarah Medland Highlights:
The Quantitative Genetics Team has focused on elucidating • Published work on the genetics of the biological pathways influencing common psychiatric educational attainment. conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder • Launched a new study on severe morning sickness. and substance use disorders.
STATISTICAL GENETICS
Team Head: Associate Professor Stuart MacGregor Highlights:
The Statistical Genetics Team studies the role that genetic • Identified a genetic variant in the obesity gene FTO that variation plays in determining risk of disease and its risk confers risk of melanoma. factors. The laboratory develops and applies statistical • Identified 16 new genetic variants influencing corneal genetic methods to gene mapping studies across a wide thickness, several of which confer high risk for the eye range of traits and diseases. disease keratoconus. One major focus is understanding genetic and epigenetic • Identified 24 new genetic variants conferring risk of variation in various cancers including melanoma, ovarian myopia. cancer, and oesophageal cancer. Ultimately this work will • Found common genetic variants which predispose lead to better understanding of why particular individuals Barrett’s oesophagus. are affected by cancer or why they respond poorly to cancer treatment.
Another major interest is ophthalmological genetics, with work ongoing to identify the specific genes involved in both eye disease and in underlying quantitative risk factors.
SYSTEM NEUROSCIENCE
Group Leader: Professor Michael Breakspear Highlights:
Systems Neuroscience is an approach to brain sciences • Detected a biomarker for risk of bipolar disorder. that seeks the fundamental principles of brain organisation, • Developed a new diagnostic test for cerebral palsy. dynamics and function across a hierarchy of spatial and temporal scales. It is a rapidly growing field that differs • Created an imaging test for major depression. considerably from the traditional reductionist paradigm in neuroscience that seeks purely sufficient causes for local phenomena. In contrast, systems neuroscience seeks unifying explanations for emergent phenomena.
Page 63 SUPPORTING OUR RESEARCH
SUPPORT DIVISION
Dedicated Support Division staff are committed to providing The Division also oversaw the procurement of resources to the high level of support required to keep QIMR researchers equip the Institute’s research laboratories including world at the forefront of medical research and helping make class histology and flow cytometry imaging facilities. This successful research happen. equipment includes a laser scanning confocal microscope, a laser capture microscope, three bright field microscopes QIMR’s Support Division, formerly the Corporate Division, for deconvolution and time lapse experiments. In addition comprises five departments: to securing and installing this equipment, the Division also • Scientific Services; recruited specialist staff to manage these state of the art facilities, all of which supports the Institute’s scientists to • Human Resources; carry out their research more effectively and efficiently. • Finance and Administration; Support Division staff have also been instrumental in • Research Support and Governance; and establishing QIMR’s partnership in the Herston Imaging • External Relations. Research Facility, a purpose built research imaging facility to be built on the Herston campus, with partners UQ, QUT and Key activities in 2012-2013 have included the project Metro North Hospital and Health Service. management of the Bancroft Centre refurbishment which follows the completion of QIMR Central and Support To ensure ongoing support for the QIMR’s researchers, Division’s management of the relocation of laboratories and the Support Division has contributed to securing new offices in to the new premises. funding and diversifying income sources with efforts directed at assisting scientists in their development of grant In line with the Institute’s recruitment strategy to attract the applications, identifying and pursuing opportunities for best and brightest, the Support Division has successfully engagement with commercial entities and fundraising. supported the recruitment and appointment of seven new research groups.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
QIMR’s research relies upon the support of community Feeney who founded The Atlantic Philanthropies. Mr Feeney groups, individuals and corporate sponsors. The funds these pioneered the term of ‘giving while living’; donating $233 dedicated groups and individuals raise and donate supports million towards biomedical research in Queensland. the Institute’s scientists and allows them to continue Mr Feeney helped fund QIMR’s newest facility through a their work. $27.5 million donation and performed the opening ceremony on 5 December 2012. December 2012 saw the official opening of QIMR’s newest building, a 15 floor state-of-the-art facility. QIMR was 2012 marked the second Rio Tinto Ride to Conquer fortunate to play host to a number of our supporters on the Cancer, which was held on 18-19 August and raised a day of the opening, including American philanthropist Chuck record-breaking $5.2 million for QIMR’s cancer research.
Page 64 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 Over 2,000 registered riders took part in the two day, 200 QIMR also recognises contributions made by monthly kilometre Ride from Brisbane to Wivenhoe Dam and back. donors; planned givers who kindly made provision for the Money raised from this signature event has funded 17 Institute in their Wills; long-term and new supporters who cancer research projects. The Institute would like to thank arranged activities and events to raise funds for QIMR’s the event’s naming right sponsor Rio Tinto; “powered by” research such as Sunny and Fred Drescher and long-term sponsor, Sunsuper; the Ausenco Foundation and those that supporters such as Mr Barry and Mrs Maureen Stevenson, participated in the event as a rider or volunteer. Mrs Elsie Hayes and the late Mr Kevin Hayes.
QIMR was also excited to team up with the Royal Brisbane The Institute received a generous gift from a new donor in and Women’s Hospital Foundation and announce the June 2013. Mr Kelvin David Garland left a $1 million gift to launch of a new fundraising event, called the Weekend to QIMR in his Will. Mr Garland’s kind gift will assist the Institute End Women’s Cancers. The 60 kilometre walk will be held in continuing its research into some of the world’s most in October 2013, and will raise funds for women’s cancer debilitating and deadly diseases. research and clinical care at QIMR and RBWH. QIMR congratulated its long-time Ambassador, Mr Rupert The William and Hilde Chenhall Research Trust continued McCall, on being named in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday to support QIMR in 2012–13. The Trust funds the Honours List. QIMR nominated Mr McCall for an award in bioinformatics unit at QIMR, which is helping to bring the the Order of Australia in recognition of more than a decade Institute’s researchers a step closer to understanding the of volunteering his time and talents to support and promote underlying genetic causes of cancer. medical research.
Perpetual demonstrated its ongoing support for QIMR Each year QIMR also acknowledges community members research, by funding Dr John Miles, from the Human for their outstanding support of medical research. In 2012, Immunity Team to carry out his work into better recipients of the QIMR Ambassador Awards included: Bev understanding and using T cells in the fight against cancer. and Ed Dignam, Jenny Davidson, Members of the Mermaid Beach Bowls Club and Ladies Sewing Group.
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING DONORS
Mr Sid Faithfull Estate of Sylvia Amelia Austin Brisbane Family Law Centre
Estate of Gloria Pierce (in memory) Estate of Norman Charles Peters Elsie Hayes and the Late Kevin Hayes
Walking on Sunshine Estate of Elaine Jane Weedon The Powell Family
Keith Maher (in memory of Merle Maher) Barry and Mrs Maureen Stevenson Estate of Athol A Card
Clive Berghofer BT Financial Group Fitton Insurance Brokers
Estate of Mr Kelvin David Garland One One One Eagle Street George Landers
Rio Tinto Ausenco Tim and Kym Reid
Estate of Ralph Brian Stubbs Estate of Late Phyllis Dowling Mrs Marceline Jarvis (in memory)
Sunsuper Pty Ltd Mr Ron McLaughlin Kevin and Dallas Bedford
In Vitro Technologies Life Science Queensland Community Foundation Joan Daniel and the Late Henry Daniel (in memory of Rhys Pengelly) Biniris (Aust) Pty Ltd
Page 65 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OPERATING RESULT
The operating result for the 2012-13 financial year was a The Council’s total funding resources, including amounts surplus of $17.2 million after providing for depreciation of under management at 30 June 2013 totalled $140.6 $9.2 million. This surplus includes recognition of capital million (2011-12: $145.4 million), of which $21.3 million grants from The Atlantic Philanthropies towards the was represented by capital grants (2011-12: $40.2 million). construction of the Medical Research Centres ($5.5 million). The decrease in funds held during the year is mainly due to payment for progress of the refurbishment works undertaken The Council’s financial structure is based on the management in relation to the Bancroft Centre. of operating and grant funds. Competitive research grant funding spent in the 2012-13 financial year was $43.3 Refurbishment of the Bancroft Centre is the third phase of million (2011-12: $$40.2 million), representing 44% of total the Medical Research Centre construction project and is income from continuing operations, excluding capital grants. fully funded with total contributions from the Commonwealth A majority of the Council’s core funding is provided as an Government ($110.0 million), the Queensland State operating grant from the Department of Health, Queensland Government ($35.0 million), and The Atlantic Philanthropies (2012-13: $14 million; 2011-12: $14 million). ($27.5 million).
CONTENTS
Statement of Comprehensive Income Statement of Cash Flows Statement of Financial Position Notes to and forming part of the Financial Statements Statement of Changes in Equity Management certificate
GENERAL INFORMATION
These financial statements cover the Council of the A description of the nature of the Council’s operations Queensland Institute of Medical Research and its jointly and its principal activities is included in the notes to the controlled entities. financial statements.
The Council of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research For information in relation to the Institute’s financial is a Queensland statutory body established under the statements please call +61 7 3362 0222, email enquiries@ Queensland Institute of Medical Research Act 1945. qimrberghofer.edu.au or visit the statutory body’s website www.qimrberghofer.edu.au The statutory body is controlled by the State of Queensland which is the ultimate parent. Amounts shown in these financial statements are rounded to thousands and therefore may not add to the exact sub-totals The head office and principal place of business of the or totals. statutory body is: 300 Herston Road, Herston QLD 4006
Page 66 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 The Council of The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 30 June 2013
Notes 2013 2012 $'000 $'000 Income from continuing operations Grants and other contributions 2a 72,851 65,403 Commercial revenue 3 4,164 3,103 Other revenue 4 12,436 11,842 Total revenue 89,451 80,348
Capital grants 2b 5,500 11,400 Gains/(losses) 5 7,804 (3,034) Total income from continuing operations 102,755 88,714
Expenses from continuing operations Employee expenses 6 44,672 40,874 Supplies and services 7 26,219 21,711 Depreciation and amortisation 8 9,183 6,205 Other expenses 9 4,919 4,999 Finance costs 454 268 Share of (gain)/loss of equity accounted investees 23 70 (19) Total expenses from continuing operations 85,517 74,038
Operating result from continuing operations 17,238 14,676
Other comprehensive income
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to operating result Increase/(decrease) in asset revaluation surplus 19 8,871 (179) Total items that will not be classified subsequently to operating result 8,871 (179)
Total other comprehensive income 8,871 (179)
Total comprehensive income 26,109 14,497
The accompanying notes form part of these statements.
Page 67 The Council of The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 2013
Notes 2013 2012 $'000 $'000
Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 10 62,751 82,234 Receivables 11 9,925 8,822 Inventories 12 273 256 Prepayments 1,044 269
Total current assets 73,993 91,581
Non-current assets Other financial assets 13 77,808 63,202 Intangible assets 14 551 636 Property, plant and equipment 15 272,177 241,173 Investments accounted for using the equity method 23 251 321 Total non-current assets 350,787 305,332
Total assets 424,780 396,913
Current liabilities Payables 16 6,067 3,682 Accrued employee benefits 17 3,632 4,067 Unearned revenue 18 19,260 19,408 Total current liabilities 28,959 27,157
Non-current liabilities Accrued employee benefits 17 869 913 Total non-current liabilities 8 69 913
Total liabilities 29,828 28,070
Net assets 394,952 368,843
Equity Accumulated surplus 347,133 329,895 Asset revaluation surplus 19 47,819 38,948 Total equity 394,952 368,843
The accompanying notes form part of these statements.
Page 68 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 The Council of The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 30 June 2013
Accumulated Asset revaluation Total surplus surplus (note 19) $'000 $'000 $'000
Balance as at 1 July 2012 329,895 38,948 368,843 Operating result from continuing operations 17,238 - 17,238 Increase in asset revaluation surplus - 8,871 8,871 Balance as at 30 June 2013 347,133 47,819 394,952
Balance as at 1 July 2011 315,219 39,127 354,346 Operating result from continuing operations 14,676 - 14,676 Decrease in asset revaluation surplus - (179) (179) Balance as at 30 June 2012 329,895 38,948 368,843
The accompanying notes form part of these statements.
Page 69 The Council of The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2013
Notes 2013 2012 $'000 $'000
Cash flows from operating activities Inflows: Grants and other contributions 71,376 63,146 Capital grants 5,500 11,400 Commercial revenue 4,073 3,181 Other income 8,229 10,536 GST collected 144 618 Outflows: Employee expenses (44,743) (40,162) Supplies and services (24,896) (21,226) Finance costs (454) (268) GST paid (2) (84) Other (4,880) (4,241) Net cash provided by operating activities 20 14,347 22,900
Cash flows from investing activities Outflows: Sale of property, plant and equipment (64) - Investments in other financial assets (2,560) (3,843) Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (31,206) (49,276) Net cash used in investing activities (33,830) (53,119)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (19,483) (30,219) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of financial year 82,234 112,453 Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year 10 62,751 82,234
The accompanying notes form part of these statements.
Page 70 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 The Council of The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Notes to and forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2013
Objectives and principal activities of the Council Note 1: Summary of significant accounting policies Note 2: Grants and other contributions Note 3: Commercial revenue Note 4: Other revenue Note 5: Gains/(losses) Note 6: Employee expenses Note 7: Supplies and services Note 8: Depreciation and amortisation Note 9: Other expenses Note 10: Cash and cash equivalents Note 11: Receivables Note 12: Inventories Note 13: Other financial assets Note 14: Intangible assets ` Note 15 Property, plant and equipment Note 16: Payables Note 17: Accrued employee benefits Note 18: Unearned revenue Note 19: Asset revaluation surplus by class Note 20: Reconciliation of operating surplus to net cash from operating activities Note 21: Commitments for expenditure Note 22: Contingencies Note 23: Jointly controlled entities Note 24: Trust transactions and balances Note 25: Key management personnel and remuneration Note 26: Financial instruments Note 27: Events occurring after balance date Note 28: Economic dependency
Page 71 The Council of The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Notes to and forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2013
Objective and principal activities of the Council
The objective of the Council is to control and manage the operations of the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (the Institute). The Council has been established to conduct research into all branches of medical science. It operates predominantly in one geographical area, being Queensland, Australia, although it has research collaborations across Australia and overseas.
The Council recently constructed a new building (referred to as 'QIMR Central') and has now entered into the third construction phase which is the refurbishment of the existing Bancroft Centre. The project has been funded by contributions from the Federal Government of $110m, the Queensland State Government of $35m and The Atlantic Philanthropies of $27.5m.
The majority of the Council's funding is generated from competitive, peer reviewed research grants, commercial and other earned revenue. The Council also receives an annual operational grant from the Department of Health, Queensland (Queensland Health). Further funding is generated from donations, fundraising and investment activities performed under the guidance of the Council. Also refer to note 28.
1. Summary of significant accounting policies
(a) Statement of compliance
The Council has prepared this financial report in compliance with section 43 of the Financial and Performance Management Standard 2009 .
These financial statements are general purpose financial statements, and have been prepared on an accrual basis in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations. In addition, the financial statements have regard to Treasury's Minimum Reporting Requirements for the year ended 30 June 2013, and other authoritative pronouncements.
With respect to compliance with Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations, the Council has applied those requirements applicable to not-for-profit entities, as the Council is a not-for-profit statutory body. Except where stated, the historical cost convention is used.
(b) The reporting entity
The financial statements include the value of all revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities and equity of the Council. The Council had no material controlled entities as at 30 June 2013.
(c) Jointly controlled entities Jointly controlled entities are those where the Council has joint control, established by contractual agreement. As at 30 June 2013, the Council had entered into two material joint ventures - Vaccine Solutions Pty Ltd and Q-Pharm Pty Ltd. Where the Council has a claim over the equity of the joint venture, the interest is brought to account by using the equity method of accounting. The investment is initially recognised at cost and adjusted thereafter for the post-acquisition change in the Council's share of net assets of the joint venture. In addition, the Council's share of the profit or loss of the joint venture is included in the Council's operating result. This is the case for Q-Pharm Pty Ltd. Vaccine Solutions Pty Ltd is not equity accounted as the Council has no claim over the equity of the joint venture. Further details of the Council's interest in jointly controlled operations including audit arrangements are contained in note 23.
(d) Trust transactions and balances
The Council undertakes certain trustee transactions on behalf of the Cooperative Research Centre Vaccine Technology (CRCVT) and its employees' research activities.
As the Council acts only in a custodial role in respect of these transactions and balances, they are not recognised in the financial statements, but are disclosed in note 24.
(e) Grants and other contributions
Grants, contributions, donations, bequests, gifts and fundraising that are non-reciprocal in nature are recognised as revenue in the year in which the Council obtains control over them. Where grants are received that are reciprocal in nature, revenue is recognised over the term of the funding agreements.
Contributed assets are recognised at their fair value. Contributions of services are recognised only when a fair value can be determined reliably and the services would be purchased if they had not been donated.
(f) Commercial revenue
Page 72 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 The Council of The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Notes to and forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2013
User charges and fees from commercial services and recoveries of expenditure incurred by associated bodies which use the Council's laboratory consumables and services are recognised as revenue when the revenue has been earned and can be measured reliably with a sufficient degree of certainty. This involves either invoicing for related goods/services and/or the recognition of accrued revenue. User charges and fees are controlled by the Council where they can be deployed for the achievement of Council objectives.
(g) Interest, dividends and distributions
Revenue for interest on cash and cash equivalents is recognised on an accrual basis. Revenue for dividends and distributions from managed funds classified as financial instruments held at fair value through profit or loss are recognised when the Council's right to receive payment is established.
(h) Imputation credits As an endorsed income tax exempt charity, imputation credits attached to franked dividends received by the Council are refundable and may be claimed retrospectively after the end of the financial year. Imputation credits are brought to account when the right to receive the credits is established.
(i) Cash and cash equivalents For the purposes of the Statement of Financial Position and the Statement of Cash Flows, cash assets include all cash and cheques receipted but not banked at 30 June as well as deposits at call with financial institutions.
(j) Receivables
Trade debtors are recognised at the amounts due at the time of sale or service delivery i.e. the agreed purchase/contract price. Settlement of these amounts is required within 30 days from invoice date.
The collectability of receivables is assessed periodically with provision being made for impairment. All known bad debts are written- off at financial year end. Other debtors generally arise from transactions outside the usual operating activities of the Council and are recognised at their assessed values. Terms are a maximum of one month, no interest is charged and no security is obtained.
(k) Inventories
Inventories are represented by consumable laboratory supplies valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Cost is assigned on a weighted average basis and includes expenditure incurred in acquiring the inventories and bringing them to their existing condition, except for training costs which are expensed as incurred.
Net realisable value is determined by estimating the selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion and selling expenses.
No inventory assets have been classified as inventories held for distribution.
(l) Acquisitions of assets
Actual cost is used for the initial recording of all non-current physical and intangible asset acquisitions. Cost is determined as the value given as consideration plus costs incidental to the acquisition, including all other costs incurred in getting the assets ready for use. However, any training costs are expensed as incurred. Where assets are received free of charge from another Queensland Government entity, the acquisition cost is recognised as the gross carrying amount in the books of the transferor immediately prior to the transfer together with any accumulated depreciation.
Assets acquired at no cost or for nominal consideration, other than from an involuntary transfer from another Queensland Government entity, are recognised at their fair value at date of acquisition in accordance with AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment.
(m) Property, plant and equipment
Items of property, plant and equipment with a cost or other value equal to or in excess of the following thresholds are recognised for financial reporting purposes in the year of acquisition:
Class Threshold
Buildings $10,000
Page 73 The Council of The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Notes to and forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2013
Plant and equipment $5,000 Heritage & cultural $5,000
Items with a lesser value are expensed in the year of acquisition.
The Council occupies three buildings situated on Crown land reserved and set apart for hospital purposes. The land is under the control of Queensland Health on behalf of The State of Queensland.
Leases for the land and buildings known as the Bancroft Centre and the Clive Berghofer Cancer Research Centre (CBCRC) exist between the Council and The State of Queensland (represented by Queensland Health), at a nominal rental, terminating on 27 June 2066. The Bancroft Centre was constructed by the Council using grants from the Federal and Queensland State Governments. The CBCRC was constructed by the Council using grants from the Federal and Queensland State Governments, and private donors.
A lease for the land and building known as QIMR Central will be entered into between the Council and The State of Queensland (represented by Queensland Health), at nominal rental, terminating on 27 June 2066. The building was constructed by the Council using grants from the Federal and Queensland State Governments, and private donors.
As the buildings are controlled by the Council, these assets are recognised within its financial statements, not within the financial statements of Queensland Health. Any revaluation surpluses or decrements associated with these assets are recognised by the Council. Refer also notes 1(n) and 15.
(n) Valuations and revaluations of non-current physical and intangible assets
Buildings and heritage & cultural assets are measured at fair value in accordance with AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment and Queensland Treasury and Trade's Non-Current Asset Policies for the Queensland Public Sector . In respect of these asset classes, the cost of items acquired during the financial year has been judged by management of the Institute to materially represent their fair value at the end of the reporting period.
Where intangible assets have an active market, they are measured at fair value, otherwise they are measured at cost.
Plant and equipment is measured at cost in accordance with Treasury's Non-Current Asset Policies .
Non-current physical assets measured at fair value are independently re-valued by an external registered valuer at least once every five years with interim valuations, using appropriate indices, being otherwise performed on an annual basis where there has been a material variation in the index. Where indices are used in the revaluation process the Council ensures that the application of such indices would result in a valid estimation of the asset's fair value at reporting date. Refer to note 15 for details.
Any revaluation increment arising on the revaluation of an asset is credited to the asset revaluation surplus of the appropriate class, except to the extent it reverses a revaluation decrement for the class previously recognised as an expense. A decrease in the carrying amount on revaluation is charged as an expense, to the extent it exceeds the balance, if any, in the revaluation surplus relating to that asset class.
On revaluation, accumulated depreciation is restated proportionately with the change in the carrying amount of the asset and any change in the estimate of remaining useful life.
Separately identified components of assets are measured on the same basis as the assets to which they relate.
Heritage & cultural assets include research library monographs, Australiana and scarce items. They are measured at current replacement costs and are independently re-valued by an external registered valuer at least once every five years.
Materiality concepts under AASB 1031 Materiality are considered in determining whether the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of an asset is material.
(o) Intangibles Intangible assets with a cost or other acquisition value equal to or greater than $100,000 are recognised in the Statement of Financial Position, items with a lesser value are expensed. Each intangible asset, less any anticipated residual value, is amortised over its estimated useful life to the Council. The residual value is zero for all the Council's intangible assets.
It has been determined that there is not an active market for any of the Council's intangible assets. As such, the assets are recognised and carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. No intangible assets have been classified as held for sale or form part of a disposal group held for sale. Purchased software The acquisition cost of externally purchased software has been capitalised and is being amortised on a straight-line basis over the period of the expected benefit to the Council, namely 10 years.
Page 74 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 The Council of The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Notes to and forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2013
Internally generated software Expenditure on research activities relating to internally-generated intangible assets is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred.
Costs associated with the development of computer software have been capitalised and are amortised on a straight line basis over the period of expected benefit to the Council, namely 10 years.
(p) Amortisation and depreciation of intangibles and property, plant and equipment
All intangible assets of the Council have finite useful lives and are amortised on a straight line basis. Property, plant and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis so as to allocate the net cost or re-valued amount of each asset, less its estimated residual value, progressively over its estimated useful life to the Council.
Assets under construction (work-in-progress) are not depreciated until they reach service delivery capacity. Service delivery capacity relates to when construction is complete and the asset is first put to use or is installed ready for use in accordance with its intended application. These assets are then reclassified to the relevant classes within property, plant and equipment.
Where assets have separately identifiable components that are subject to regular replacement, these components are assigned useful lives distinct from the asset to which they relate and are depreciated accordingly.
Any expenditure that increases the originally assessed capacity or service potential of an asset is capitalised and the new depreciable amount is depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset to the Council.
The depreciable amount of improvements to or on leasehold land is allocated progressively over the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the unexpired period of the lease, whichever is the shorter. The unexpired period of a lease includes any option period where exercise of the option is probable.
Heritage & cultural assets include research library monographs, Australiana and scarce items. The service potential of these assets is not expected to diminish with time or use and therefore, they are not depreciated.
For each class of depreciable asset the following depreciation and amortisation rates are used:
Class Rate
Buildings 2% Plant and Equipment 5% - 33.3% Intangible Assets 10%
(q) Impairment of non-current assets
All non-current physical and intangible assets are assessed for indicators of impairment on an annual basis. If an indicator of possible impairment exists, the Council determines the asset's recoverable amount. Any amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount is recorded as an impairment loss. The asset's recoverable amount is determined as the higher of the asset's fair value less costs to sell and depreciated replacement cost.
An impairment loss is recognised immediately in the Statement of Comprehensive Income, unless the asset is carried at a re- valued amount. When the asset is measured at a re-valued amount, the impairment loss is offset against the asset revaluation surplus of the relevant class to the extent available.
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised as income, unless the asset is carried at a re-valued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase. Refer also note 1(n).
(r) Leases Operating lease payments are representative of the pattern of benefits derived from the leased assets and are expensed in the periods in which they are incurred. (s) Other financial assets
Page 75 The Council of The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Notes to and forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2013
Other financial assets held at fair value through profit or loss represent investments in managed funds and shares in listed companies. The investments are stated at current market value at the reporting date. Changes in the market value of these instruments, whether realised or unrealised, are recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. These investments were originally classified as at fair value through profit or loss upon initial recognition and the Council manages these investments and makes purchases and sales decisions based on their fair value in accordance with the Council's documented investment strategy.
(t) Payables Trade creditors are recognised upon receipt of the goods or services ordered and are measured at the nominal amount i.e. agreed purchase/contract price, net of applicable trade and other discounts. Amounts owing are unsecured and are generally settled on 30 to 60 day terms.
(u) Financial instruments
Recognition Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Statement of Financial Position when the Council becomes party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument.
Classification Financial instruments are classified and measured as follows: i. Cash and cash equivalents - held at fair value through profit or loss ii. Receivables - held at amortised cost iii. Other financial assets - held at fair value through profit or loss iv. Payables - held at amortised cost
The Council does not enter into transactions for hedging purposes.
All other disclosures relating to the measurement and financial risk management of financial instruments held by the Council are included in note 26.
(v) Employee benefits Employer superannuation contributions, annual leave expense and long service leave levies are regarded as employee benefits.
Workers' compensation insurance is a consequence of employing employees, but is not counted in an employee's total remuneration package. It is not an employee benefit and is recognised separately as employee related expenses.
Wages, salaries, annual leave and sick leave
Accruals for wages, salaries and annual leave expense due but unpaid at reporting date are recognised in the Statement of Financial Position at the current salary rates.
For unpaid entitlements expected to be paid within 12 months, the liabilities are recognised at their undiscounted values. Entitlements not expected to be paid within 12 months are classified as non-current liabilities and recognised at their present value, calculated using yields on Fixed Rate Commonwealth Government bonds of similar maturity, after projecting the remuneration rates expected to apply at the time of likely settlement.
Prior history indicates that on average, sick leave taken each reporting period is less than the entitlement accrued. This is expected to continue in future periods. Accordingly, it is unlikely that existing accumulated entitlements will be used by employees and no liability for unused sick leave entitlements is recognised.
As sick leave is non-vesting, an expense is recognised for this leave as it is taken.
Long service leave
Under the Queensland Government’s long service leave scheme, a levy is made on the statutory body to cover the cost of employees' long service leave. The levies are expensed in the period in which they are payable. Amounts paid to employees for long service leave are claimed from the scheme quarterly in arrears.
No provision for long service leave is recognised in the Council's financial statements, the liability being held on a whole-of- government basis and reported in those financial statements pursuant to AASB 1049 Whole of Government and General Government Sector Financial Reporting .
Superannuation
Page 76 QIMR Annual Report 2012–2013 The Council of The Queensland Institute of Medical Research Notes to and forming part of the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2013
Employer superannuation contributions are paid to QSuper, the superannuation scheme for Queensland Government employees, at rates determined by the Treasurer on the advice of the State Actuary. Contributions are expensed in the period in which they are paid or payable. The Council's obligation is limited to its contribution to QSuper.
The QSuper scheme has defined benefit and defined contribution categories. The liability for defined benefits is held on a whole-of- government basis and reported in those financial statements pursuant to AASB 1049 Whole of Government and General Government Sector Financial Reporting .
Key management personnel and remuneration
Key management personnel and remuneration disclosures are made in accordance with section 5 of the Financial Reporting Requirements for Queensland Government Agencies issued by Queensland Treasury and Trade. Refer to note 25 for the disclosures on key management personnel and remuneration.
(w) Insurance
The Council's non-current physical assets and other risks are insured through the Queensland Government Insurance Fund (QGIF), premiums being paid on a risk assessment basis. In addition, the Council has policies with private insurance companies to cover risks not included by QGIF. The Council also pays premiums to WorkCover Queensland in respect of its obligations for employee compensation. These costs are reported in note 6.
(x) Services received free of charge or for nominal value
Contributions of services are recognised only if the services would have been purchased if they had not been donated and their fair value can be measured reliably. Where this is the case, an equal amount is recognised as revenue and an expense.
(y) Taxation
The Council is a State body as defined under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and is exempt from Commonwealth taxation with the exception of Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and Goods and Services Tax (GST). FBT and GST are the only taxes accounted for by the Council. GST credits receivable from, and GST payable to the ATO, are recognised (refer to note 11).
(z) Issuance of financial statements The financial statements are authorised for issue by the Chairperson of Council, Director and Secretary at the date of signing the Management Certificate.
(aa) Accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements necessarily requires the determination and use of certain critical accounting estimates, assumptions, and management judgements that have the potential to cause a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year. Such estimates, judgements and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in future periods as relevant.
Estimates and assumptions that have a potential significant effect are outlined in the following financial statement notes: