Griffith University is the recipient of a $1 million philanthropic award to implement advanced biomedical technology that will enable cross-collaboration research to develop life-changing therapies, vaccines and diagnostics. 

The prestigious Ramaciotti Biomedical Research Award was bestowed to a team of researchers led by Griffith University’s Professor Sally-Ann Poulsen for a project to install a first-in-Australia, cutting-edge new technology known as native Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry or ‘nCDMS’.  

This technology is available in only a few locations worldwide; this instrument, to be known as the Ramaciotti Australian Native Mass Spectrometry Platform for Health Discoveries, is now installed and ready for use at Griffith’s Nathan campus in South-East Queensland. 

Professor Sally-Ann Poulsen, Deputy Director of the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, was the first in Australia to apply state-of-the-art native Mass Spectrometry technology with a drug discovery focus. 

“The goal is to enhance biomedical research nationally with a new technology that will improve the development and discovery of life saving new therapeutics and stay at the forefront of biomedical research globally,” Professor Poulsen said. 

“The Ramaciotti Foundation have a fascinating history and a formidable legacy of supporting biomedical research in Australia since the 1970s, with this premiere award offered only once every four years (outside of NSW).  

“This nationally accessible platform will be able to characterise the largest and most complex of biomolecules (and their interactions with other molecules) involved in health and disease that have been out of reach of Australia’s current infrastructure.  

“The impact of this new technology will pave the way for a breadth of fundamental discoveries and eventual new life changing therapies, vaccines and diagnostics. 

“I am incredibly grateful and proud to be the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Ramaciotti Biomedical Research Award together with my colleagues at Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.” 

The nCDMS project partners are working on areas including drug resistance in cancers, paediatric cancers, COVID-19 therapies, novel antibiotics, novel antiparasitics, chronic pain, gene therapy vectors, radiotheranostics, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s disease, rare and gastrointestinal diseases. 

“As trustee, Perpetual is extremely proud of our association with the Ramaciotti Foundations, having helped Vera Ramaciotti create a philanthropic trust that has stood the test of time, grown significantly in value and continues to benefit the community,” said Jane Magor, Perpetual National Manager – Philanthropy & Non Profit Services. 

“Vera’s single philanthropic deed over 50 years ago has had a great impact on the future of medical research and the health of Australians and people worldwide. 

“The Ramaciotti Awards focus on supporting projects which promote new advances in technology, collaboration between Australian researchers and have the potential to make a significant impact on biomedical research in Australia and beyond.  

“Griffith University’s cutting-edge, first-in-Australia Native Mass Spectrometry Platform for Health Discoveries, which is accessible to biomedical researchers nationally, fits wonderfully with the values of the Foundations.”   

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