Scope 41 - Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

Immunoglycomics – the new era of drug discoveryImmunoglycomics is an emerging fieldof research that focuses specifically onunderstanding how particular types of sugarscan influence the immune response and howthis knowledge can be applied to improvetreatments of disease.Through an Immunoglycomics research initiativeestablished between the Malaghan Institute andVictoria University of Wellington in 2007, scientistsled by Dr Bridget Stocker and Dr Mattie Timmer arecurrently synthesising a range of sugar-based drugsand evaluating their potential to treat disease.An example of this is a class of compounds calledglycolipids, which are being used in conjunctionwith the cancer vaccine to enhance anti-tumourimmunity. While the vaccine effectively acts as theignition and turns the immune response on, theglycolipid acts as the throttle and can be used tocontrol the intensity of the response.In other work a novel class of drugs are beingsynthesised that target a survival mechanism ofMycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agentof tuberculosis. Sugar-based compounds arealso being used to help understand what triggersthe allergic immune response seen in asthmaticindividuals.These studies will provide the first detailed insightinto the relationship between carbohydratesand the immune response, which will aid in thediagnosis and treatment of disease.Green ChemistryDrug discovery, such as that described above,can often require the use of large amounts ofchemicals, which can have a detrimental effecton the environment. In fact, it is estimatedthat each year the pharmaceutical industrygenerates over 240,000 tonnes of toxic wastefrom the organic solvents and associatedchemicals used to make target compounds.To address this issue in the Immunoglycomicsprogramme, PhD student Emma Dangerfield hasdeveloped novel (“green”) methodologies for thesynthesis of iminosugars, a class of drugs currentlyused in the treatment of a variety of diseases.Her approaches are not only greener than many(using solvents such as water and ethanol insteadof petrol), but also yield high quantities of drugs infewer steps, thus reducing the total amount of wastegenerated. The compounds are synthesised fromrenewable, naturally occurring starting materials(sugars), and are easy to purify because there arefewer contaminants to have to remove at the end.To date Emma’s methodology has been usedto prepare potential drug compounds for thetreatment of tuberculosis, cancer and diabetes.Immunoglycomics PhD student Emma Dangerfield.Emma’s methodology, which has been patented,was published in the international journal ofOrganic Letters last year.Although the optimisation of greener strategiesis an on-going process, we are excited about theopportunities that this research brings and therealisation that it is possible to find new ways totreat disease and care for the environment at thesame time.

Acknowledging the efforts of three inspiring individualsSince the Malaghan Institute first opened itsdoors back in 1979, it has enjoyed immensesupport and loyalty from the community,without which it could not operate. For threesuch individuals, their association with theInstitute is a very personal one and in thisissue of Scope we would like to acknowledgetheir stories of hope and survival, and theirextraordinary efforts to raise funds for ourresearch in 2009.This is by no means an exhaustive list and we hopeto bring you more stories of goodwill in futureeditions of Scope.Richard Barr – walked across the UKDave Wilson – walked3200 km around EnglandFor Dave Wilson (pictured left),a former Taranaki man, beingdiagnosed with prostate cancerDave Wilson. in his early seventies came asa shocking blow. However,Dave considers himself one of the lucky onesbecause two years after undergoing radiotherapyand hormone treatment he is now cancer-free.In May 2009 Dave set off from Brighton pier inEngland on a five month walk that covered 3200km (2000 miles). The motivation behind thisventure was Dave’s wish to give back to theclinicians and cancer researchers that helped savehis life. Another reason for Dave’s big walk was topromote the critical importance of early diagnosisand detection of some cancers. Dave selected theMalaghan Institute as one of the recipients of thefunds raised.Kylie Archer – ran the2009 New York MarathonRichard Barr (pictured second from right) with his ‘receptioncommittee’ at Land’s End.Richard Barr is a retired physicist from New Zealandwho suffers from CLL (Chronic LymphocyticLeukaemia). In 2009 he walked 1628 km (1012miles) from John o’ Groats in the northeast ofScotland to Land’s End in the southwest of England,to promote awareness of CLL and to raise moneyfor research into the disease. Half of the fundsraised went towards the Malaghan Institute’s CLLresearch programme.Kylie Archer.Aucklander Kylie Archer ranthe “42 crazy big apple km’s”of the New York Marathon inmemory of her Dad and thethousands of kiwis diagnosedwith brain cancer every yearand dedicated all of thefunds raised to the MalaghanInstitute.Collectively Richard’s, Dave’sand Kylie’s efforts raised over $6000 for our cancerresearch programmes! Words cannot describehow grateful we are to these inspiring individualsfor selecting the Malaghan Institute as the recipientof their incredible fundraising efforts – our sinceregratitude to you all.

Issue 41, 20102010 Lollipop AppealDespite a cold and windy start to the day onFriday 26 February, the sun burst throughthe clouds, warming the numb fingers ofcollectors and igniting the philanthropic spiritof Wellingtonians.Time and time again we are humbled by theoverwhelming support we receive from the GreaterWellington Region on our Lollipop Appeal day andthis year was no exception. More than $40,000was raised, which will go towards supporting theInstitute’s world-class research programmes.On behalf of all the staff at the Malaghan InstituteLeft: Dominique Hawinkels and Jacqui Whelan from theMalaghan Institute; Right: Wayne and Wendy O’Brien – thankyou Wayne for collecting on your birthday!we would like to express our sincere gratitudeto all who donated on the day, to our wonderfulcollectors, and to our Lollipop Appeal sponsors, inparticular principal supporter AMI Insurance, aswell as Clemenger BBDO, OMD, Allen’s Lollipopsand MagnumMac.Focus!In December 2009, the Malaghan Institutelaunched Focus, a new monthly emailupdate.If you have enjoyed reading the Institute’sScope newsletter but have been left wantingmore, then Focus is for you! With regularupdates on breaking research news stories,hot off the press media announcements, andfirst-hand notification of upcoming events,Focus is your way of staying informed ofthe latest developments at the MalaghanInstitute.If you are interested in receiving Focus,please email your details to VickyHale, Marketing Admin Assistant, atvhale@malaghan.org.nz.The Ultimate GiftThe ultimate gift to show your support for the research of theMalaghan Institute, and our hope for a disease-free future, is abequest in your will.As a charity, the Malaghan Institute relies on the generosity of itssupporters to continue our work, and a gift in your will is a wayof ensuring our research into Cancer, Asthma, Arthritis, MultipleSclerosis and Infectious Diseases will protect future generationsfrom disease well beyond your lifetime.To receive information about leaving a gift in your will and howthese funds are managed, please tick the box below and enteryour contact details on the reverse of this form.Yes, please send me information on how I can leave a giftin my will and invest in a disease-free future.

Independent Review praises Malaghan researchIn February of this year, a panel of independentscientists conducted a review of our researchprogramme.Prof Ashley Dunn (former Director of the LudwigInstitute, Melbourne), Prof Bryan Williams(Director of the Monash Institute of MedicalResearch) and Assoc Prof John Carter (ClinicalLeader, Wellington Blood and Cancer Centre)spent two days evaluating our research andgrilling our group leaders before concluding thatour work is of a high international standard andoffers the potential for genuine breakthroughs inthe field of immunology.The panel were also keen to stress that theInstitute’s commitment to translating basicdiscoveries about the nature of disease intotangible outcomes with a genuine impact onpatient care was both highly commendable andextremely rare. They cited the cancer vaccineprogramme as a shining example of the “benchto bedside” philosophy that is so vital in turninglab results into improved wellbeing for NewZealanders.We are extremely proud of the outcome ofthis independent review and the supportivecomments we received. We will continue to striveto undertake the very best quality research intodiseases affecting thousands of New Zealanders– and then turn those into improved healthoutcomes.World Day of Immunology 2010Thursday, 29 April 2010, is World Day of Immunology.To celebrate this occasion the Malaghan Institute and Victoria University of Wellington are hosting afree public lecture by eminent Australian scientist and previous Australian of the Year Prof Ian Frazer.Prof Frazer’s research led to the development of the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine Gardasil,which has been shown to protect against the development of cervical cancer.The event will be held at Maclaurin Lecture Theatre MCLT103, on Victoria University’s Kelburn Campus,at 6:30 pm. Spaces are limited so if you will be in Wellington on the 29th April and would like to attendProf Frazer’s talk, please contact Vicky Hale on 04 499 6914 ext 821 or vhale@malaghan.org.nz byMon 26 Apr 2010.This newsletter was generously supported by:0800 MALAGHAN (0800 625 244) TO MAKE A CREDIT CARD DONATIONFREEPOST 3554, PO Box 7060, Wellington 6242(If you wish a stamp would help our efforts)Mr/Mrs/Ms/MissAddressI/We enclose a donation of $ .00ChequeCredit Card - VISA/Mastercard/AMEX/DinersExpiry __ / __ SignaturePlease send me information on how I can leave a gift inmy will and invest in a disease-free futurePlease call 0800 MALAGHAN (0800 625 244) to find out how to become a regular donor

What’s been happening...BNZ staff volunteering at the Malaghan Institute.Closed for a Good CauseOn the 4 November 2009, the BNZ closed all of itsbranches so that its staff could help volunteer in thecommunity. The Malaghan Institute was selectedas one of the lucky organisations to receive support.Nine BNZ staff spent the day delivering Scopenewsletters to residents in various Wellingtonsuburbs, to help raise awareness of the Instituteand to educate the community about the importantresearch being carried out right here in Wellington.We would like to say a special thank you to all theBNZ staff that helped ‘beat the streets’ for medicalresearch; your efforts were greatly appreciated.Jumbo Tennis TournamentThe Rotary Club of Wellington’s annual JumboTennis Tournament, sponsored by The InterfaceFinancial Group, was held on Friday 5th March atthe Renouf Tennis Centre. With giant racquets,around 100 players (including our own Dr MikeBerridge) ‘battled’ on court, against each other andgravity to raise funds for the Malaghan Institute.Thank you to all those involved.Fashion for ResearchHosted by the Australian High Commission, theWellington Friends of the Malaghan Institute helda charity cocktail event, Fashion for Research, onthe evening of March 25th to raise funds for theMalaghan Institute.A great night was had by all and a special thanksgoes out to the Friends Committee, to principalsupporter AMI Insurance, Spy Valley Wine, BlueCactus, Cerise Clothing, Mi Piaci, The DesignerClothing Gallery, The Mews and Vance Vivian.2009 Golf TournamentsThe end of 2009 saw three successful annual golftournaments organised by Wellington, Aucklandand Hawkes Bay Friends of the Malaghan InstituteCommittees. Barring a slight hail storm inWellington, all three tournaments ran extremelywell and collectively raised over $120,000 for theMalaghan Institute. Thank you to everyone whoparticipated, the many generous supporters andto the main sponsors, ING (for the Wellingtontournament) and AMI Insurance (for the Aucklandtournament).The Institute was also the lucky recipient of over$3,000 raised through the Khandallah Monteith’sBrewery Bar charity golf tournament held inNovember.Upcoming events Grants (June 09 – March 10)Sunday 16th MayKeeping our Engines Running – Charity CocktailFashion Event, AucklandFor more information and to reserve your ticketsnow please contact Annabel Lush (alush@malaghan.org.nz or 09 525 2539)Thank you very much to the following organisationsfor their support:The Southern TrustSpringhill Charitable Trust / Frimley FoundationMargaret Neave Charitable TrustCuesports FoundationInfinity FoundationLion FoundationPO Box 7060, Wellington 6242, NEW ZEALANDPh +64 4 499 6914 Email mimr@malaghan.org.nzwww.malaghan.org.nz