Annual Report 2015 IMB Annual Report 2015 IMB ANNUAL REPORT 2015 1 CONTENTS Cover artwork 6 2015 snapshot Cellular Intelligence 8 Vice-Chancellor and President’s message by Joannah Underhill 9 Director’s message This work refers to the innate intelligence of all cellular organisms to arrange and 10 Discovery organise themselves in the service of the 12 Research highlights whole. In their non-verbal understanding 18 Research centres of the world, cells have the power and 20 Grants, fellowships and awards intelligence to rearrange themselves to allow more cells in, or push others out as required, and to automatically find and 22 Learning know their functions and place in the body. 24 Research training Multi-layered in its approach, this painting 26 Research higher degree students has a depth that speaks to the constant Research higher degree conferrals osmotic exchange between cellular forms. 28 It visualises the artist’s exploration of groupings within and between cells to 30 Engagement facilitate exchange and communication. 32 Research commercialisation Cellular Intelligence forms part of Brisbane 34 Global collaborations artist Joannah Underhill’s (1978-2014) IMB artist-in-residency collection, Envisaging 38 Community engagement the Invisible. 42 Scientific engagement Read more at jounderhill.com You can buy official prints from the 44 Structure and governance collection, which are signed by the artist, 46 Organisational structure at www.imb.uq.edu.au/prints, with all 47 Advisory board proceeds supporting IMB’s vital research. 50 Strategic management committee Acknowledgements 54 Our people 57 Joint appointments and affiliates This report was published by IMB Communications in April 2016 and records the institute’s achievements between 58 Supporting information 1 January and 31 December 2015. To 60 Financial statement enquire about this report please email [email protected] 61 Research grants 65 Research support facilities CRICOS Provider No. 00025B 68 Occupational health and safety 69 Scientific publications 84 Discoveries inspired by life 85 Thank you to our major supporters 2 IMB ANNUAL REPORT 2015 IMB ANNUAL REPORT 2015 3 Our research impact spans the ABOUT areas of The University of Queensland’s Mission Rare diseases Institute for Molecular Bioscience Our mission is to advance scientific knowledge and deliver (IMB) is a multidisciplinary new health and industry applications from the best in life scientific research institute sciences research. committed to improving quality Vision of life through research and translation. Our vision is to be a global leader in the discovery and application of molecular life sciences research. Pain Our researchers discover the fundamental mechanisms of Research divisions biology and human disease and • Chemistry and Structural Biology translate these findings into new • Genomics of Development and Disease drugs and diagnostics for global • Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine health, and improved products Research centres and Inflammation and processes for industry and breakthrough programs the environment. • Centre for Inflammation and Disease Research • Centre for Pain Research • Centre for Rare Diseases Research • Centre for Superbug Solutions Superbugs • Breakthrough Science Program in Biomembrane Design • Breakthrough Science Program in Algal Biomedicine • Breakthrough Science Program in Mechanobiology Strategic priorities Heart and • Discovery excellence cardiovascular diseases • Translation impacts • Learning • Leadership and engagement • Equity and sustainability Cancer Share in our discoveries Subscribe to our IMB news and event updates imb.uq.edu.au/subscribe Join our social communities Clean energy Twitter.com/IMBatUQ Facebook.com/InstituteforMolecularBioscience Youtube.com/IMBatUQ Diabetes and obesity Agriculture 4 IMB ANNUAL REPORT 2015 IMB ANNUAL REPORT 2015 5 2015 SNAPSHOT LEA R 3 7 129 115 78% 28 NING active research higher honours, undergraduate, occupational honours students achieved research higher degree research divisions on-site world-class degree students trainee and coursework masters first class honours students graduated research support students hosted at IMB facilities RY E V 298 Global collaborations isco 231 47 33 37 4 D research staff joint appointments group leaders competitive Fellows of the Australian Collaborators by continent and affiliates fellowships held Academy of Science % Asia 20% North America 11 31% Europe % 344 44 56 59 28 1% Africa scientific publications high-impact total income sourced new research organisations scientific publications from competitive grants projects commenced awarded competitive % South America 2 % Australia + New Zealand (impact factor >10) thanks to new funding funding to IMB 35 ENGAGEMENT Major collaborators by type 11% 13% 4% 72% industry clinical not-for-profit academic Patent families managed: uni students, high MANCE school students and Total income Operating (core) income Distribution of expenditure 5 agricultural/industrial biotechnology + teachers toured IMB R 500 6 diagnostics/devices $ 2 9 . 8 M Peer reviewed (competitive) $3.3M UQ awarded grants $ 4 3 . 3 M Research 4 drug discovery tools $ 1 9 . 4 M Operating $ 1 4 . 3 M UQ operating funding $ 4.1M Infrastructure external visitors RFO 35 to the Queensland $3.5M Philanthropy, $1.8M Sales and services revenue $3M Administration 1 therapeutic target E commercialisation and 1 9 therapeutics 4705 Bioscience Precinct Capital equipment $2.7M P other income and recoveries nstitute I 435 $5 1300+ 135 10 8 139 35 researchers, postgraduate delivered to the community media mentions valued seminars hosted by IMB active ARC Linkage Projects scientific, industry and UQ undergraduate lectures volunteer science students and support staff for every $1 invested by the at $3.7 million with industry partners business leaders appointed delivered by IMB researchers ambassadors Queensland Government to the IMB Advisory Board 6 IMB ANNUAL REPORT 2015 IMB ANNUAL REPORT 2015 7 UQ Vice-ChancelloR DiRectoR’S message anD PResiDent’S Message The broad IMB community of students, staff, alumni, donors and partners drives us to discover, inspires us to innovate, and compels us to create change in the world by developing new drugs and diagnostics for global health, and improved products and processes for industry and the environment. As an institute dedicated to excellent science and improving quality Inspired leaders of life, the Institute for Molecular Bioscience is creating change for From its inspired research leaders to its Encouraging innovation Celebrating our people Engaging our community individuals and society. rising scientific stars, IMB exemplifies UQ’s Our staff and students received numerous We welcomed two new group leaders to During the year we had 500+ visitors tour vision to create a better world through awards and grants throughout the year IMB in 2015. Dr Joseph Powell joins us IMB, 35 volunteer science ambassadors knowledge leadership. Some of the IMB Partners in success • Professor Ben Hankamer was awarded to pursue innovative research projects from UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, and running tours and helping with events, and researchers recognised in 2015 for their a $340,000 Australian Research Council from investigating the role of inflammation brings his skill in using large-scale, high- more than 135 seminars hosted at IMB. The culture of collaboration and drive to create positive change included: (ARC) Linkage Project grant to work with in Parkinson’s disease and multiple throughput genomic data to investigate innovation at IMB attracts the support We invited our community to explore global engineering and construction firm • Professor Mike Waters, who was elected sclerosis, to converting plants into how DNA sequence variants contribute to of an impressive list of national and brain cancer, pain and superbugs at KBR and renewable energy company a Fellow of the Australian Academy of biofactories for insecticides and drugs. human disease. Dr Nathan Palpant joins international industry, clinical and not-for- our very successful public events, Muradel to produce renewable algal Science in recognition of his outstanding us from the University of Washington, profit partners. IMB consistently delivers IMB researchers received more than featuring speakers including renowned biofuels and animal feeds; contributions to science during a career and brings significant expertise within the fundamental life sciences breakthroughs $7.8 million in ARC funding, and more neurosurgeon Professor Charlie Teo • Professor Kirill Alexandrov and drug spanning more than 45 years; areas of stem cells and cardiovascular and advances in disease detection and than $16 million in NHMRC funding to AM, ‘spray-on skin’ pioneer and 2005 discovery company Phylogica Ltd • Professor David Craik, who received development and regeneration. Both treatments, industrial processes, and pursue discoveries in a range of health Australian of the Year Professor Fiona received a $670,242 ARC Linkage $1 million from the Clive and Vera Joseph and Nathan are valuable additions environmental sustainability. and environment areas. This funding Wood AM, quadruple amputee Matthew Project grant to develop technology Ramaciotti Foundations and trustee to our community who will strengthen was complemented by investment from Ames and video messages from burns During 2015, IMB researchers forged for producing peptide-based Perpetual to revolutionise pharmacy and extend our genomic and philanthropic organisations