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Ovarian Cancer Technologies
Posted 15 June 2010
Victorian researchers at Prince Henry’s Institute (PHI) in Melbourne are at the forefront of research to improve the early detection of ovarian cancer. They are being supported by one of Australia’s leading medical research charities and through a Victorian Government infrastructure scheme.
In May 2010, the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) awarded a $760,000 equipment grant to the Institute. This funding has enabled the researchers to purchase world leading proteomics detection technologies which will be used to identify and test early markers of ovarian cancer.
The new Bruker UltrafleXtreme III MALDI Mass Spectrometer is one of the most advanced MALDI-TOF/TOFmass spectrometers currently available, and will provide a leading technology edge to Victorian researchers. The advanced mass spectrometry technology provides unsurpassed performance for large-scale proteomics and biomarker discovery. This new equipment will allow the research team to identify specific cancer markers through the analysis of individual protein masses.
Ovarian cancer kills 1,500 women a year in Australia. There is a significant community need for the development of an early screening test that will accurately and reliably detect ovarian cancer.
Dr Andrew Stephens, NAB Ovarian Cancer Research Fellow and Head of the Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers Laboratory at PHI said that the funding will help translate exciting laboratory research into better diagnostic screening for women in Australian and worldwide.
“The success of treatments and improved outcomes for ovarian cancer are very closely linked to detecting the cancer at an early stage. Our focus is the detection of rare proteins that are produced very early in the development of cancer and we are fortunate to have access to this latest technology “ said Dr Stephens.
Over the past decade the OCRF and its partners have provided more than $3M to PHI to support ovarian cancer research. This philanthropic funding has been underpinned by ongoing infrastructure support to the Institute from the Victorian State Government.
Minister for Innovation, Gavin Jennings, congratulated PHI on attracting these major philanthropic donations. “The Brumby Labor Government has been pleased to support the outstanding research at PHI over many years through its Operational Infrastructure Support program, and we are delighted to see PHI receive this substantial grant from the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation to make further progress on the early detection of ovarian cancer, an important field in which Victoria leads the world”, Mr Jennings said.