CSIRO Tours 2007

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Meeting at the Bean Bar Cafe

We met at the Bean Bar Cafe Conference Room (Gawler Place). After an initial introduction by Mark, we all introduced ourselves. Mark asked us to take digital photos and/or videos that can be combined at the end of the tour into a presentation/report (and how what we have learned could be used in schools with our students). He mentioned the importance of the links with scientist, to increase students interests in science. He reminded us to get to airport early, so that we do not miss the flight.

Richard Head welcomed all those present and presented an overview of CSIRO’s Preventative Health Research that is taking in Adelaide and also around other sites in Australia. He explained the need for the distribution of research facilities in different regions in Australia, because of our relatively smaller overall population. Thus, the CSIRO facilities in different states specialize on different fields. He explained why such tours as these are conducted. He stressed that organizations such as CSIRO depend on quality students from schools and teachers have an important role in this. He hoped that programs such as this would promote the teaching of Science and Mathematics in schools. Teachers have the opportunity of stimulating students so that they become scientists of the future. He mentioned that we will have the opportunity to look at some fantastic work done by scientists in Australia.

Richard also said that because of the tremendous changes that are occurring in the technological world. Scientists are now working with many millions of bits information (unlike thousands a few years ago). This makes it necessary for scientists to work with mathematicians in analysing data, for example. This necessitates the scientists from different disciplines working together as a unit. He said that the CSIRO would like to work with teachers in whatever way they can and hope that teachers like us would make use of these opportunities.

Mark concluded the morning sessions by reminding us to get to the airport on time on Monday and what we need to bring with us. He also mentioned that we teachers should participate in the twinning with a scientists.

Royal Institution of Adelaide

Then we headed to the proposed site of the Royal Institution of Adelaide at the former Stock Exchange site, which is now a heritage listed building. This site is due to be opened in 2009 and it represents the only one to be located outside the United Kingdom.

This would allow for further collaboration between the scientists of the two countries.

Overview of P-Health Research by Richard Head

Richard related the history and provided an overview of the Science underpinning the National P-Health research. He cited the importance of employing scientists from various discipline and the need for them to work together.

He spoke of the ‘Drivers’ which had led to the improvement of heath such as vaccination and early diagnostics. He did a comparison of life span and standard of living in 1927 and 2000 nad explained how these ‘Drivers’ had brought about an improvent in living standards.

He talked of the need to promote Healthy Ageing in Australia as the population of aged people increases., enabling the aged people to have a longer period of healthy, independent living. There is a considerable research being done here on Colorectal cancer as Australia/New Zealand has the highest incidence of this form of cancer in the world.

Intro and Tour of Nutrition Clinic with Peter Royle

Peter informed us of the work being done at the Nutrition Clinic. He said that the clinic depended on the voluntary services of a number of people living in Adelaide. They participate in a number of research activities, such as cholesterol lowering diets, volunteering their time.

He then conducted a tour of the site, showing us the newly established gym, which is to be used in exercise related research activities in the near future. He also showed us equipment/computers that have been set up to collect and compile data automatically, saving time.

Obesity Theme Presentaion by Jane Brown

She is doing a study on obesity as this a huge problem, not ot only with adult Australians, but the children as well. The objective of the study is to find ways to reduce obesity that WORKS. She said that many of the earlier programs were not based on scientific evidence and many have failed to produce results.

She is looking at different dietary patterns and exercises that can reduce obesity result in weight maintenance. She talked about what she did for her Ph D thesis. She looked at the effect of high protein diets on weight loss and keeping weight off. She studied effect on foods that made one ‘full’ and not hungry (satiation/satiety effects) for a longer period. She also did a measurement of hormones that made one hungry or not. Eating of a high protein diet (meat), makes one full for a longer period than a meal consisting of carbohydrates.

She is involved in a National Survey of kids all around Australia, regarding their food intake and exercise patters.This survey funded by the government with a cost of four million dollars. The result of this survey will be of great importance and will be released early next year.

Talk by Damien Belobrajdic

He took us on a tour of the labs where he works. He showed us how Colon cancer cells are grown by tissue culture for study.

He then showed us how to look for biomarkers in cancer cells using LiquiChip Workstation. He gave a comprehensive explanation of how the equipment is used in identifying the proteins, using biomarkers.

Talk by Postgraduate Students Damien, Tamara & Bianca

They talked about the experience as postgraduate students. They related the role their science teachers (primary and secondary) have played in them choosing Science Research as a career. Tamara related her regret at not being able to Biology at school, which she felt would have helped her in the university. They all expressed no regrets choosing to do science subjects in year 12.

Proteomics Centre, University of Adelaide

Steve Henderson and Kim Fung gave us a good account of what is happening at the Proteomics centre. This cente is involved with the study of all the proteins as proteins play a central role in th life of an organism. Proteomics can be used to discover biomarkers that may indicate a particular disease. This place is very fascinating with many high tech machines used to carry out different functions. Both Steve and Kym led us through the process involved the separation of proteins, quantifying, identifying and studying their characteristics.

Their works is made all the more difficult due to the changing nature of proteins through their interaction with genes and the environment.