2990 Microsurgery.qxd - O'Brien Institute

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Director’s Report Bernard O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery RETIRING MEMBERS Mr Keith Dawson retired from our Board after many years of committed service. Keith, a former director of Hong Kong Bank Australia Ltd and Perpetual Trustees, Victoria, had a unique knowledge of medical and philanthropic trusts and the business world. He was instrumental in pleading our cause to many of these trusts and for the successful outcomes. He was ever willing to offer advice and attend functions on our behalf, and has contributed greatly to our financial security. We wish Keith well in his retirement and thank him sincerely for his efforts. Mr Marc Besen, Executive Chairman of Sussan, is well known for his philanthropy and support of the arts, particularly the Australian and Victorian Opera and the National Gallery of Victoria. He has been on our Board for many years and has been a supporter of our cause. With his many other commitments he retired from the Board and we thank him sincerely for all his contributions. Professor Gerard Crock and Dr John Connell retired from the Board this year. As senior, and highly respected doctors in both the clinical and academic surgical scene they played a major role, particularly in the early years of the Foundation in helping Bernard O’Brien establish the Research Institute. Many political as well as scientific hurdles needed scaling and Bernard could not have recruited two better hurdlers. They steered and supported the Institute for many years and gave generously of their talents and time. Both have agreed to stay on as scientific advisers where their skill and experience will continue to benefit the Institute. We thank them sincerely for their efforts. Miss Norma Tullo came onto our Board at the suggestion of Sister Fabian, the founder of St Vincent’s Private Hospital. The name ‘Norma Tullo’ was a household word in the world of Australian fashion and she broadened our contacts and exposure to a new and influential group of patrons and supporters. Norma took great interest in our work and regularly attended and contributed to Board meetings in past years. Her contributions to our cause have been greatly appreciated. NEW MEMBERS Mr Allan MacLeod bring a wealth of medical experience and wisdom to the Board. He is currently the head of plastic and reconstructive surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital, and formerly of Repatriation General Hospital, Heidelberg. He is internationally known for his pioneering role in microsurgery and has been associated with the Institute as research fellow, adviser and colleague since its inception. We are delighted that Allan has offered his services. Professor James Angus, Professor of Pharmacology at Melbourne University, has recently been appointed to our Board. Jim has had a long association with our Institute as a scientific adviser and his influence and reputation at Melbourne University and with NHMRC, and with the broad scientific community will be a very valuable asset. We are grateful that Jim has offered to give us his time and support. Ms Josephine O’Brien has recently agreed to be a new member of our Board. Josephine, the daughter of Bernard O’Brien, has established an international reputation as an architect and has won many national and international awards and scholarships. We are delighted that Josephine will represent the O’Brien family and maintain our links with our founder. Josephine is energetic and vivacious and will add greatly to our Board membership. DONORS We are indebted to many large donors and funding bodies, many of whom have repeatedly supported us in a major way. These include the Victorian State Government, Transport Accident Commission, National Health and Medical Research Council, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, National Australia Bank, The Jack Brockhoff Foundation, Helen M Schutt Trust, Henry and Miriam Greenfield, Liz and Russell Leggo, Ronald and Barbara Walker, St Vincent’s Hospital Research Fund, The Estate of the late George Adams, Sir Donald and Lady Trescowthick, Joe White Bequest, Australian Paper Welfare Scheme, Glaxo Wellcome, AMRAD and the late Miss Evelyn Coy bequest. Also from the will of Miss Evelyn Coy, an Annual Surgical Prize is awarded to the final year medical student at St Vincent’s Hospital Medical School who excels in surgery. This year Miss Anthea Greenway was the recipient of this cherished prize. We are grateful to Ms Sue McKay and Ms Liliana Pepe and staff at the Experimental Medical and Surgical Unit, and to Dr Ainslie Brown, Veterinarian, at St Vincent’s Hospital. For many years they have provided an outstanding level of co-operation and support to the staff of the Bernard O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery. We are also grateful to the ward staff and operating theatre staff of both St Vincent’s Public and Private Hospitals. WAYNE A MORRISON MD BS FRACS DIRECTOR 11
Scientific Research Bernard O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery BOBIM SCIENTIFIC REPORT 1997-98 General Introduction The scientific activities of the Institute have expanded over the last year with several new projects in: • angiogenesis, • tissue engineering, • ischaemia-reperfusion injury, and • nerve regeneration An investigation of the role(s) of nitric oxide, a gaseous molecule made by blood vessels and white blood cells, has continued as a major focus in investigations of cell death following periods of low blood flow. Recently one of the enzymes making nitric oxide has been localised to mast cells, a cell type not previously thought to play a major role in ischaemic injury to skeletal muscle. A new model of angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), with relevance to the clinical situation, has been developed. This model is being used to identify agents which either promote or inhibit development of new blood vessels, with clinical applications in tissue engineering, vascular disease and cancer. Further work on leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has confirmed its muscle preserving action and shown that the agent is transported from the site of nerve injury to the muscle by specific transport down the nerve. This important finding provides further impetus to the application of LIF to sites of nerve injury being repaired by microsurgery. Our work on macrophage cells continues to provide us with important new insights into the molecular mechanisms controlling macrophage function, and role of these cells in inflammation, wound repair and blood vessel formation. The past year has also witnessed several initiatives involving genetically modified (transgenic/knockout) mice in which models of ischaemia-reperfusion injury and angiogenesis have been created and tested. Such developments provide a significant technical challenge for our highly skilled microsurgeons, but will but enable us to break new ground in understanding these complex clinical problems. 12
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Page 7 and 8: Overview of Research Bernard O’Br
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2990 Microsurgery.qxd - O'Brien Institute

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