Seminars - Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

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dendritic cell vaccine trial for melanoma. This is a very serious and involved process in which a vaccine is prepared from the patient’s own tissues and dendritic cells under specialised laboratory conditions. These conditions are referred to as GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and require extensive quality control and monitoring within the regulatory framework of Medsafe. It is a very significant achievement for both the clinical researchers at Capital Coast Health and Dr Hermans’ scientific group to be able to conduct these types of trials here in New Zealand for the benefit of New Zealand patients. A hot topic for 2006 has been stem cells; how they can be used for therapeutic purposes and their potential involvement in diseases such as cancer. This is a new research area that falls well outside mainstream support by Government agencies. Sir Roy McKenzie is widely acknowledged as one of New Zealand’s leading philanthropists who seeks to inspire and support all types of worthwhile activities in our community. This year Sir Roy made a special contribution to the Malaghan Institute by establishing a Clinical Fellowship for Cancer Research held between the Institute and the Wellington Cancer Centre. This Fellowship enabled us to recruit Dr Melanie McConnell back to New Zealand from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA. Dr McConnell is an exciting and determined senior researcher who was able to immediately start investigations into the potential involvement of stem cells in certain forms of cancer. The key role Sir Roy makes in enabling new breakthroughs to be quickly investigated is an important element of the Institute’s research successes. It is not only the senior researchers who should be acknowledged for their research achievements in 2006. Kylie Quinn, a PhD student in the Infectious Diseases Group headed by Dr Joanna Kirman, was awarded joint runner-up in the Advancing Human Health category of this years MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year Awards for her work into the development of a more effective vaccine against Tuberculosis. Nicholas van Panhuys, a PhD student in my Asthma Group, was invited to speak on his research discoveries at the prestigious Keystone meeting on Allergy and Asthma, while PhD student Rachel Perret from Prof Ronchese’s Cancer Immunotherapy Group, with the support of a Harry & Beverly Romanes scholarship, did a spectacular job of presenting her work to several leading international laboratories and two international conferences. It is a privilege to be able to work with such energetic and creative young scientists and fantastic that they and their research discoveries are noticed and applauded by internationally recognised scientists. Based on my 20 years research experience, it has to be said that investigating the causes and cures of human disease is one of the most difficult human endeavours I know of. Many of the pathological processes underlying diseases such as cancer, asthma and arthritis are complex, occur over a protracted time-frame, and are difficult to model in a simple test-tube reaction. Furthermore, many of the very sensitive techniques scientists require to dissect apart the many interacting processes are expensive, require a great deal of training, and present hazards to the researchers using them. And often the full implications of a major discovery will take decades of research to be fully proven. I have seen how some research breakthroughs have taken decades to come to fruition as a therapy, often outliving their discoverer. What arms the scientist to either start or continue this endeavour? I believe the key to the Malaghan Institute’s success is the support of the many donors, volunteers and interested individuals who have the motivation, patience and perhaps experience of how to make a fundamental difference to our society through knowledge and the pursuit of scientific truth. In particular, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to AMI for all their support this year. They and their staff have gotten right behind the Institute’s research efforts into cancer and asthma. On behalf of the staff of the Malaghan Institute, I thank you all for your continuing support. Graham Le Gros DIRECTOR Medical Science Builds a Healthy Future Malaghan Annual Report o6 7
The Malaghan Institute Trust Board Graham Malaghan John Beattie John Carter Bryan Johnson Graham Malaghan FCILT (Chairman) In 1990, was appointed as the Chairman of the Malaghan Institute. He commenced employment at General Foods Corp in 1967, was appointed General Manager of Refrigerated Freight Lines in 1970, acquiring the company in 1987. Was founding Chairman of Tasman Express Line. Was a Member of the LTSA for six years. Current directorships include several private companies, in health foods, courier services, GPS/GSM tracking devices, mineral processing and forestry facilities. John Beattie LLB(Victoria) Obtained a law degree from Victoria University and is a Fulbright Scholar from Cornell University (1979). Has been a Trustee of the Malaghan Institute since 1988 and is Director of Malcorp Biodiscoveries Limited, a subsidiary of the Malaghan Institute. He is also Chairman of the NZ Diabetes Foundation, NZ Sports Hall of Fame, Mt Aspiring College Foundation and is a trustee for the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Life Education Trust, and an Executive Director of the Infinity Investment Group. Assoc Prof John Carter BMedSc, MBChB(Otago), FRACP, FRCPA Joined the Malaghan Board of Trustees in 2003. Did postgraduate work at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre and the University of Washington. Clinically practices as a haematologist with a focus on stem cell transplantation. Is the immediate past Chair of the New Zealand Blood Service, and is currently Medical Leader of the Wellington Cancer Centre and the Chairman of Scots College. Bryan Johnson BCA(Victoria) Obtained a commerce degree from Victoria University in 1963. Was a senior partner in the Stockbroking company Jarden & Co for 25 years and became chairman after the sale of the business to Credit Suisse First Boston in 1991. Retired from CSFB in December 2000 to further develop his Marlborough winery and vineyard, Spy Valley. Has been a director of various corporations, such as Brierley Investments, Royal Sun Alliance and recently retired as Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and was a Trustee of the Wellington Stadium Trust.
Page 1 and 2: Annual Report o6
Page 4 and 5: Mission Statement In addition to ou
Page 6 and 7: The Malaghan receives no direct fun
Page 10 and 11: Graham Le Gros John Nacey Gary Quir
Page 12 and 13: Project Two: Tumour Vaccination by
Page 14 and 15: Project Two: Improving Dendritic Ce
Page 16 and 17: Project Two: Acute Responses to Red
Page 18 and 19: Project Two: Parasites and the Th2
Page 20 and 21: Project Two: Multicentre Rotavirus
Page 22 and 23: In 2006 we showed that the modified
Page 24 and 25: Project Two: A Clinical Study of Go
Page 26 and 27: Target Assays The Malaghan Institut
Page 28 and 29: will allow sorting of these cells a
Page 30 and 31: Lee A, Farrand KJ, Dickgreber N, Ha
Page 32 and 33: Prof Franca Ronchese, Prof Mike Ber
Page 34 and 35: Kylie Quinn (BSc(Hons)) “Developm
Page 36 and 37: This year also saw the completion o
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Page 40 and 41: Bequests The research at the Malagh
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Page 44 and 45: Auditors Report TO THE TRUSTEES OF
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Page 48 and 49: Melanie Prout BSc(Hons)(Victoria) F
Page 50 and 51: Bench Bedside Franca Ronchese estab

Seminars - Malaghan Institute of Medical Research

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