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South Australian Neuroscience Institute (SANI)
SANI represents the vast majority of Neuroscientists in South Australia.
Many members of SANI are internationally recognised neuroscience researchers,
who have maintained a record of success in securing funds from peer-reviewed
national and international granting bodies and from industry. SANI includes
45 Neuroscience laboratories and more than 100 members and almost 200
research students. Collectively the SANI laboratories attract more than
$10 million per year. Most laboratories involve collaboration of scientists
from different disciplines within South Australia, and most also have
multiple state, national and international collaborations.
SANI is recognised and supported by the three Universities in South Australia
and, through Flinders University, joined NSA in 2004. In 2004 SANI obtained
funding from the Premier’s Science and Research Fund to develop a
business plan. This now has been completed and SANI is in the process
of implementing the recommendations. Its interim structure includes a
broad membership, a steering committee and an executive composed of two
co-chairs (Marcello Costa and Robert Vink), a secretary (Simon Brookes)
and a treasurer (Robert Rush). A steering committee representing all Institutions
and most sub-disciplines has provided the necessary guidance in establishing
a functional SANI organization.
The major aims of SANI include fostering in South Australia neuroscience-related
research, education, services and commercialisation. The main activities
to fulfil these aims have been coordinating public lectures, scientific
symposia and applications for research and infrastructure funding, including
submissions to NCRIS (via SA and via NSA) and to the Research Scheme “Thinking
Systems” as well as participation in an application for a CRC for
Learning.
In the field of education, SANI has developed and launched a Graduate
Certificate in Neuroscience for teachers and other professionals in South
Australia, in collaboration with the Department of Education and Social
Services (DESS). The course will start in 2006 and involves a true collaboration
between many neuroscientists from all three Universities. Public education
has been fostered by organising events under Brain Awareness Week, participating
in the activities of South Australian Government scheme “Science
outside the Square” (SOS), and by establishing links with the newly
formed Physical and Neurological Council of South Australia (PNCSA), an
umbrella organization for most patient groups in South Australia relevant
to Neuroscience.
University of Tasmania
Neuroscience researchers at the University of Tasmania (UTas) have research
programs that are focused on a range of diseases and conditions that affect
the nervous system. Research spans fundamental studies of nerve cell biology
to the development of new therapeutic drugs and other interventions for
human disease. Research covers the major forms of human brain degeneration,
including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neuron
disease, stroke and brain and spinal cord injury.
UTas researchers have made a major contribution towards understanding
how nerve cells degenerate and die in Alzheimer’s disease. This investigation
has provided a causal link between the pathological changes that occur
within the brains of Alzheimer’s disease sufferers and has identified
the earliest nerve cell changes that lead to dementia. Therapeutic approaches
for neurodegeneration currently under investigation include the development
of a proteinbased agent with neuroprotective and regenerative abilities,
cell-based therapies for spinal cord injury and physical therapies targeted
at supporting brain plasticity. The development of new therapeutic agents
has followed from the establishment of novel in vitro techniques with
mature nerve cells and involving, for example, axon injury, axon stretch,
excitotoxicity and chronic oxidative stress.
Tasmanian researchers are also active in studies on the development, organisation
and plasticity of the nervous system. A number of laboratories are focused
on proteins and signals that are involved in nervous system development.
Researchers at UTas are also interested in how nerve cells respond to
injury and have demonstrated that specific types of mature nerve cells
have the capacity to regenerate following damage. These studies have involved
live imaging and multiple fluorescence labelling to visualise the regenerative
properties of neurons. Another group of Tasmanian researchers are focused
on mapping and measuring electrical activity of the human brain. These
studies are providing new insight into higher functions of the brain,
including how we attend to specific features of our environment.
Neurosciences Victoria
Neurosciences Victoria (NSV) led the application for the MNRF grant and
provides management services to the NNF under a contract with Neurosciences
Australia Ltd. NSV is a membership-based organisation.
Its members include the:
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Members
