2007 Annual report (PDF 8.1 Mb) - University of Melbourne

RESEARCH &
ReseARCH TRAINING
Research HIGHLIGHTS
> The restoration of human vision by a
corneal patch grown from adult stem cells
the process used being the first of its kind
in Australia.
> The development of new technology
resulting in broadband communication
up to 100 times faster than available
currently without requiring multi-billion
dollar cabling infrastructure investment.
> The development of a unique ethico-legal
barometer for gauging the ethics and
legality of particular kinds of scientific
research in different countries.
> A 60 per cent reduction in the number
of animals required in biomedical and
agricultural research through the use
of scanning technologies to improve
the precision of body composition
measurement.
> The discovery of the gene for wood
strength in eucalyptus trees, an important
step towards the production of a wood
fibre with altered tensile strength,
stiffness and elastic properties.
> Research expertise in cultural
conservation used to influence an
unprecedented decision in capturing art
fraud nationally and internationally – a
landmark case.
> The development of a device that draws
on the properties of diamond to combat
internet hackers.
> A number of major studies of drug law
enforcement in Australia contributed to
policy and protocol development and
attracted interest internationally.
> The isolation of a genetic switch that can
be manipulated to alter the development
of sex cells in plants which has
implications for food and allergy research.
> The development of guidelines (approved
by the NHMRC) for Australian health
practitioners treating people with
posttraumatic mental health problems.
three months of 2007 and will enable the
University, through Melbourne Ventures Pty
Ltd, to identify more readily opportunities
for further research collaboration and
potential research commercialisation.
Through all of these measures the
University has put in place a solid IT
foundation on which to build a business
strategy for the management of the
University’s research outputs.
Outlook
The year ahead will see major decisions
about research funding priorities and
infrastructure. Processes for managing
the new $30 million Strategic Major
Research Project Fund and an expanded
Strategic Research Initiatives Fund within
the operating budget will be developed
and implemented. Business cases will be
mandatory for all successful initiatives. To
encourage greater engagement with the
SRIF across the University, the possibility of
reducing the funding commitment required
from faculties will be investigated. It is
expected that such a change would lead
to an increase in cross-faculty research
initiatives and provide incentives for
collaboration with external organisations.
Interactions with the Howard Florey
Institutes and the Mental Health Research
Institute to build new facilities at the
Parkville and Austin sites in research in the
areas of neuroscience and developmental
biology will continue to be a major
undertaking in 2008.
The University will progress further its
e-Research strategy, creating a business
environment in which all research
publications are centrally managed and
stored via the Themis-DigiTool connection.
Continued support for the Find-An-
Expert facility will ensure that a current
research profile of the University is always
accessible online.
The Melbourne School of Graduate
Research will continue to strengthen quality
assurance and oversight of all research
higher degrees (including research masters
programs) and enhance the services
currently provided for students within the
Graduate Centre to optimise its role as a
student centre for RHD students.
University processes will be examined
and modified to ensure compliance
with all aspects of the joint ARC/
NHMRC/Universities Australia Australian
Code for the Responsible Conduct of
Research released in August 2007. The
University will work with the new Federal
Government to provide input wherever
possible in developing the new model to
replace the RQF.
Gaye Williams received the Chancellor’s prize in 2007 for her research into mathematical education.
The University of Melbourne Annual Report 2007 29