Adelaidean March 2006
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FREE Publication March 2006 Volume 15 | Number 1 inside this issue 3 Village opens its doors 5 Sounding out high- tech solutions 8 $3 million research centre helps fi ght against cancer Four-page graduations feature Australia, and is also the largest University of Adelaide researcher Dr Olivier Fahy Molecular Biology individual grant awarded by the ACRF in the Adelaide Proteomics Centre in its 21-year history. Photo by Randy Larcombe The remaining $1.5 million of funding A new $3 million research centre at What is Proteomics? the University of Adelaide’s School of was contributed by the University, Molecular and Biomedical Science will the Hanson Institute, the Australian Proteomics is the next step on from 16 further boost Adelaide’s international Research Council and the State the mapping of the human genome. Government through BioInnovation SA. profi le as a leader in cancer research. Scientists involved in proteomics The Adelaide Proteomics Centre, Dr Peter Hoffmann, an internationally- research undertake the located in the Molecular Life Sciences renowned Proteomics specialist, has identifi cation and quantifi cation of building, is a world-class facility with been recruited to Adelaide to direct proteins, and the determination of the latest state-of-the-art proteomics the centre. The centre also features their localisation, modifi cations, such world-class researchers as the Asha helps reduce equipment. It was formally opened interactions and activities. This tsunami impact University of Adelaide’s Professors last month by Ms Jennifer Rankine, will ultimately lead to a complete Shaun McColl and John Wallace, and Parliamentary Secretary to South understanding of the function of all Professors Angel Lopez and Jennifer Australian Premier Mr Mike Rann. proteins produced in the body. Gamble from the Hanson Institute. By better understanding the The Centre was built and equipped with “Proteomics is an exciting new science molecular interactions involved the support of $1.5 million in funding and the establishment of the Adelaide in the operation of living cells, from the Australian Cancer Research Proteomics Centre here means the scientists will be further equipped Foundation, which the University and University of Adelaide will be at the in their quest to cure or prevent research partner the Hanson Institute forefront of developments in this fi eld,” cancer, and many other diseases. won from strong national competition. Dr Hoffmann said. These include Alzheimer’s, It is the biggest private foundation Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. research grant awarded in South Continued on page 4 Adelaidean Adelaidean has a readership of more than 30,500 per month – 12,500 in print and 18,000 online Editor: Ben Osborne Design and Layout: Chris Tonkin Writers: Robyn Mills From the Vice-Chancellor Lisa Reid Ben Osborne Contributors: As we begin 2006, I am pleased to report that the class facility with excellent accommodation, security Alison Beare University of Adelaide is a thriving community, and and learning facilities, and it is gratifying that demand Helen Simpson a University in the midst of change and opportunity. for Village places from both international and domestic Lana Guineay students is exceeding our initial estimates. Nicole Stones Demand for places at the University of Adelaide Printed by: continues to rise – a trend that is not refl ected at other It was also satisfying to learn that the new Federal Lane Print Group local universities and universities around the country. It Education Minister, Ms Julie Bishop, is an Adelaide Tel: +61 8 8179 9900 is certainly encouraging that we remain the university of graduate, and I congratulate her on her appointment. Fax: +61 8 8376 1044 choice in this State for prospective students. I particularly look forward to hearing from Ms Bishop Email: [email protected] regarding a critical portion of our Federal funding which Web: www.laneprint.com.au It is no accident that this is the case. Our staff work was due to be passed on for the start of the year. This Distribution: hard to reach out to high school students while they are portion represents about 5% of our Federal funding, and Lane Print Group planning their study and career pathways, and a number I hope that as well as approving this money, the new Passing Out Distribution Co. of recent events hosted by the University underline our Minister will also consider a proper annual indexation of engagement at this critical stage. Advertising: our funding. Ben Osborne, Editor In December last year, more than 200 Year 9 and 10 Tel: +61 8 8303 5414 In April we have the opportunity of showcasing our students from 30 South Australian schools attended Fax: +61 8 8303 4829 University to senior university leaders from around Email: [email protected] our Maths-Science Life Impact Student Days. A the world as the University of Adelaide hosts the 2006 joint initiative of Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Coming Events: Association of Commonwealth Universities’ Conference Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, the All coming events must be University of of Executive Heads. This event features vice-chancellors Adelaide related and of public interest. Days feature students taking part in hands-on Science from some 300 universities in the Commonwealth, and Please send details of events via email to: and Maths activities and learning about the impact these [email protected] for many of them it will be their fi rst visit to Adelaide. An diverse fi elds of study have on our society. Deadline for April issue: enormous amount of planning has gone into ensuring Tuesday, March 14, 2006 Similarly, the Siemens Science Experience held in these international education leaders have the best Marketing & Strategic Communications, January this year gave Year 10 students the opportunity opportunity of engaging positively with our city, and the University of Adelaide, to experience Science face-to-face. And last month, University of Adelaide, and it promises to be one of the South Australia, 5005. hundreds of students from Glenunga International High major highlights for us in 2006. Tel: +61 8 8303 5414 School visited the North Terrace campus for their Senior Fax: +61 8 8303 4829 We are a thriving University, and I am excited by what School Orientation Day: their introduction to university Email: [email protected] is in store for this year. I look forward to working life and all it entails. www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean with our extended University community on the many Material may be reproduced without Change, and opportunity, also beckon for our current opportunities that we will have. permission but acknowledgement must be given to the Adelaidean. students. The passing of VSU legislation late last year Registered by Australia Post No means student services as we have known them will 565001/00046 be changed. I congratulate the Adelaide University Union for working together with the University to ensure services wanted by students will continue. One recent example of providing services that enhance our students’ university experience was the offi cial opening of the second stage of the Village, our student JAMES A. McWHA accommodation facility on Grote Street. This is a world- Vice-Chancellor and President News in brief Law line-up debates historical Law Chapter, the Law School and renowned Adelaide clinicians Adelaide spotlight for murder case the Law Society of South Australia. and scientists. Commonwealth VCs Human rights lawyer Geoffrey Further information can This international congress will About 300 executive heads Robertson QC and High Court be obtained at highlight advances in all areas of universities across the Justice Michael Kirby will lead a www.adelaide.edu.au/alumni of reproductive health including Commonwealth will gather at the line-up of national panellists in or from the Development and fertility, human genomics, University of Adelaide for the three- a ‘Hypotheticals’-style seminar Alumni Offi ce at (08) 8303 5800. pregnancy, maternal and infant yearly Association of Commonwealth based on the notorious 1959 Stuart health, cerebral palsy, reproductive Universities conference on 9-12 April. murder case, to be held at the Health from womb to tomb endocrinology, contraception, University of Adelaide early menstrual control, urogynaecology, The conference will focus on some of The Human Reproductive Health next month. menopause and healthy ageing. the biggest issues facing universities through the Ages - Womb to Tomb worldwide. Daily themes are: ‘Politics, Power, Justice and the congress is being held at the For further details contact Ms responsibilities of higher education; Media: controversies from the Adelaide Convention Centre 7 – 10 Bronwen Paine, Department new roles, rules and forms; and Stuart case’ will be held on April 1 March to celebrate major advances of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, dilemmas of international education. in Elder Hall. It is being organised in Reproductive Health and mark on (08) 8161 7616 or by the University, the John Bray the contributions to this area of [email protected] www.adelaide.edu.au/acu2006 Adelaidean Volume 15, Number 1 March 2006 2 Village opens its doors Student Services Student accommodation in Adelaide has received a major boost with the University of Adelaide recently opening its major 400-bed facility, the Village, in the CBD. Her Excellency Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, the Governor of South Australia, offi cially opened the second and fi nal stage of the purpose-built, state- of-the-art accommodation facility that caters for both international and domestic students. The Village is located at 210 Grote Street, and features accommodation opportunities of differing design and size in 51 townhouses and a six-storey apartment building. The facility is managed by the University of Adelaide, and features fully furnished, modern accommodation in a friendly and safe environment. “We believe it is the best student accommodation of its kind in Australia,” said University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha.