Biotechnology in Cooperative Research Centres The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program was established in 1990 as a ‘demand pull’ collaborative research program. The CRC Program objective is to deliver significant economic, environmental and social ben-efits to Australia by supporting end-user driven research partnerships between publicly funded researchers and end-users. These collaborative partnerships address clearly articulated major challenges and emerging priorities that require medium to long-term collaborative efforts. CRCs are major drivers of biotechnology innovation with one third of CRCs involved in agri-biotechnology, environmental bioscience and biomedical research and devel-opment. This fact sheet lists research interests and some success stories of CRCs in four sectors - Agriculture and Rural-based Manufacturing, Environment, Manufacturing Technology, and Medical Science and Technology.

Agriculture and rural based manufacturing sector

CRC for an Internationally Competitive Pork Industry - a breakthrough vaccine A breakthrough vaccine delivery system against the endemic pig disease Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) received the Cooperative Research Centre Association’s Award for Excellence in Innovation for 2009. Developed with Pork CRC funding, the APP-Alive vaccine and its revolutionary delivery system is a world first at the commercial level and expected to reduce industry costs in Australia by $3-6 million a year, while making vaccination against APP - a highly contagious, potentially fatal disease in domestic pigs - easier, safer and more effective. APP-Alive and the technology has global market implications and is already used by two of Australia’s largest pork producing companies. The highly effective vaccine delivery system is safer and easier to administer than current injectable vaccines. The vaccine is special because it can be given to baby pigs before weaning in a single dose and a single handling, saving a lot of time vaccinating young pigs. More information at: www.porkcrc.com.au

CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies – rapid molecular testing for mutant genes in ticksResearchers from the Beef CRC have developed a new molecular test which could help producers minimise acaricide (pesticide) resistance in cattle ticks Rhipicephalus, Boophilus and microplus. Following on from the discovery that a genetic mutation causes ticks to be resistant to commonly used synthetic pyrethroid (SP) pesticides in Australia, CRC researchers developed a fast molecular test in which DNA is extracted from ticks. Genotyping using the DNA is undertaken to determine if the ticks carry the mutation that makes them resistant to SP. The new test will assist in developing strategies for reducing acaricide resistance in Australia. More information at: www.beef.crc.org.au

CRC for the Innovative Grain Food ProductsGrain Foods CRC Ltd was set up to improve the value and competitiveness of the grains industry through the delivery of unique, higher value functional foods. Grain Foods research capabilities are deployed through three technology platforms: Grain Health, Grain Genomics and Grain Processing. Grain Health Platform supports improvements in the health and nutritional benefits of grain based foods. Health concerns being addressed are weight management, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, muscular function, age related diseases and improved nutrition. Technologies approaching commercialisation include Pulse Processing, Fermented Asian Foods, ACE Inhibitor ingredients, Dietary Fibre ingredients and novel germplasm. Grain Genomics Platform supports determination of the genetic basis for desirable phenotypic traits. A particular focus has been elucidation of the genes affecting milling extraction rate and aleurone quality in Australian wheat through the Next Generation Wheat (NGW) initiative. Other achievements include determination of the genetic basis for grain fragrance and folate content, novel promoters for wheat and maize and improved transformation technologies. Grain Processing Platform supports improvements in grain process quality and yield through technologies that influence the biochemical and structural properties of grains. Treatments reduce cost and improve fractionation quality in processes as diverse as flour milling and the heat treatment of pulses. More information at: www.grainfoodscrc.com.au

CRC Program Tel: 02 6213 7177 Web: www.crc.gov.au Postal: GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601

APP-Alive vaccine

CRC for National Plant Biosecurity (CRCNPB)Biosecurity is a major global issue and CRCNPB scientists are using biotechnological techniques to address a number of plant biosecurity risks. One risk includes Russian wheat aphid which is a threat to Australia. Some countries have developed resistant strains of wheat and barley which have been effective in preventing damage. However, a virulent biotype has emerged in these countries allowing the aphids to damage the plants again. CRCNPB researchers are using RNA interference (RNAi) methodology to shut off salivary gland genes in the pea aphid (used as a model species whose genome has been described) in order to identify genes that allow aphids to overcome plant defences, as well as to design better strategies for resistance. The CRCNPB is also using molecular tools to develop markers for phosphine resistance in post harvest grains insects and to help identify the mechanisms of resistance. With Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries and the Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emerging Infectious Disease (ABCRCEID), the CRCNPB is partnering with Nanomics (owner of novel nanobead technology) to develop a universal diagnostic platform. A range of biological moieties can be bound to these nanobeads, which are then used to detect pathogens in animal or plant cell extracts, or environmental samples. More information at: www.crcplantbiosecurity.com.au

Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emerging Infectious Diseases – rapid diagnosticsThe AB-CRC has developed rapid diagnostic tools for a range of emerging infectious diseases of humans and animals. The rapid diagnostic test for avian influenza H5N1 (bird flu) was transferred to state veterinary laboratories in Australia and has been implemented in the field in South-East Asia. This diagnostic test was also used for detecting equine flu during the 2007 outbreak, assisting in its eradication from Australia. A world first ‘one-step’ antibody test for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) can be used to screen animals for all seven serotypes of FMDV, greatly reducing the cost and time associated with FMDV testing, as well as increasing reproducibility. A novel multiplex assay for Henipa viruses has proven extremely powerful, as it is able to differentiate between related viruses and reduces the need for live virus based assays requiring high biosecurity containment facilities. More information at: www.abcrc.org.au

CRC for Sheep Industry InnovationSheep CRC’s unique national research program, called the Information Nucleus, is exploring the effects of environment and genetics on important sheep production, wool, meat quality and nutritional traits. The CRC nucleus flock involves mating approximately 100 sires to 5,000 ewes annually on eight sites in key sheep production areas across Australia with the progeny consisting of merino, maternal and terminal crossbred types used by industry. Sheep CRC will also collect data on the human health factors such as iron, zinc and fatty-acid composition – particularly Omega 3, from nearly 2,000 lambs over the five year program. More information at: www.sheepcrc.org.au

CRC Program Tel: 02 6213 7177 Web: www.crc.gov.au Postal: GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601

Sheep CRC’s nucleus flock

CRC for Sugar Industry Innovation (CRCSIIB) – sugar cane bioplastics and new energy canesCRC for Sugar Industry Innovation (CRCSIIB) is developing environmentally friendly plastics derived from sugar cane with US biotechnology company Metabolix. The development of a natural, bio-degradable plastic will have far-reaching social and environmental impacts (for consumer disposables, shopping bags, packaging items, cups and lids, and versatile natural polymers) while creating a bio-based economy which is renewable and sustainable. Additionally, the CRC is developing: new ‘energy canes’ for the biomass and bioenergy industries; a sought after recyclable waterproofing technology based on compounds from sugarcane; and a potential natural GI modifier (also sourced from sugarcane) that can help manage Type 2 diabetes. More information at: www.crcsugar.com

CRC for the Australian Poultry Industries – International science awardIn 2007, a Poultry CRC PhD student overturned a thirty year dogma that alpha-toxin caused necrotic enteritis, a disease that costs the global poultry industries an estimated US$2 billion annually. In recognition of an outstanding contribution to the development of the poultry industry, the Poultry CRC won the prestigious World’s Poultry Science Association’s Industry/Organisation Award, making it one of the leading poultry research centres in the world. Poultry CRC CEO Professor Mingan Choct accepted the award at the World’s Poultry Congress in Brisbane on 4 July 2008. More information at: www.poultrycrc.com.au

Future Farm industries CRC – native antibiotic plants for sheep healthResearch funded by Future Farm Industries CRC has shown that some Australian native plants have the right chemical properties to reduce the serious bacterial-induced illness in sheep called ‘lactic acidosis’. CRC researcher Dr Peter Hutton extracted biochemicals from native legumes and a selection of rangeland shrub species, and one of the plant extracts produced a level of acidosis protection comparable to antibiotic supplements (which have the risk of bacterial resistance). The fodder shrub Acacia saligna has also shown potential to protect against lactic acidosis. More information at: www.futurefarmcrc.com.au

Molecular Plant Breeding CRCThe Molecular Plant Breeding CRC aims to ensure the competitiveness of Australian crop and pasture industries by developing molecular technologies and delivering them to the grain and pasture industries through breeding programs. Technology developed by MPBCRC researchers is saving wheat breeders millions of dollars by speeding up the process of cross breeding plant varieties. Using genetic information and complex mathematics the Cross Outcome Prediction technology predicts the outcome of crossing over ten thousand combinations of genes, allowing new varieties to be developed faster. More information at: www.molecularplantbreeding.com

Environment sector

CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment – Arsenic-eating superbugCRC CARE scientists have discovered an arsenic-eating super-bug that can digest contaminated soils from mining and farm sites and cleanse contaminated drinking water. The super-bug was identified after screening thousands of samples of microbes from soils. The bug holds hope of developing an efficient biological method for cleaning up the hundreds of thousands of arsenic stock dip sites in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and other countries, as well as places where arsenic-treated timber posts have been made or used, sites of old railway lines, as well as old gold-mining regions where arsenic flushes out of tailings dumps into surface and groundwater (posing a risk to those who drink it). The microbe could also be used to cleanse household drinking water in Bangladesh, India, China and South East Asia where an estimated 100 million people face daily poisoning from arsenic in their well water. More information at: www.crccare.com

Environmental Biotechnology CRC – improving our environment Using the latest biotechnological advances to understand complex biological systems, EBCRC develops advanced technologies to improve process efficiency and reduce or use waste to benefit a wide range of industries and the environment. Some of EBCRC’s achievements include the development of novel technologies for biofilm control, rapid microbial detection platforms and technologies that transform waste into useful products and green energy. EBCRC has a patented Nitric Oxide (NO)-based biofilm control technology that can be applied to clean fouling from

CRC Program Tel: 02 6213 7177 Web: www.crc.gov.au Postal: GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601

Sheep CRC’s nucleus flock

Sugar CRC

a range of surfaces, including reverse-osmosis membranes in desalination and water recycling plants, thus minimising the use of toxic chemicals. EBCRC has also developed a rapid ‘in-field’ testing platform that can detect the presence of pathogenic organisms and chemical contamination in the environment. The system will enhance the early detection and management of outbreaks and have wide application in food industries and environmental processes. More information at: www.ebcrc.com.au

eWater – new science research databaseeWater CRC is creating a new online database which catalogues scientific studies and information that examine human impacts on river systems. Called the ‘causal criteria database’, the new online ‘knowledge-management’ tool will make it easier to produce evidence-based conceptual models to support management of river ecosystems. If you are interested in the effect of some stressor (say, clearing of riverbank vegetation) on an ecological response (such as diversity of insect larvae in the water) you can search the database for evidence of a causal link. The eWater CRC database team are working with Natural Resource Management (NRM) agencies in Australia to review the areas of science they want to see in the database, and to catalogue current knowledge. More information at: www.ewatercrc.com.au

Invasive Animals CRC - Parasite tackles cane toad and resistant rabbit genesInvasive Animals CRC scientists have discovered a native parasite of frogs that can be used in the fight against the cane toad, damaging lung tissue, while other CRC scientists have identified pheromones that affect toad tadpole development. This research is primarily directed at environmental solutions and benefits. IA CRC researchers are also working towards the identification of genes that may contribute to resistance to Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD). RHD has been highly successful in keeping rabbit populations low across much of Australia for the last twelve years. More information at: www.invasiveanimals.com.

Manufacturing technology sector

CRC for Polymers – Biomedical Polymers for Vaccine Delivery & Control of Stem Cell FunctionThe CRC for Polymers runs a Biomedical Polymer Program consisting of two major projects that combine biotechnology with polymer science. The first project is targeted at developing a single-dose animal health vaccine delivery system. The preparation of single dose vaccines is challenging because of the requirement for both an initial pulse release of vaccine at the time of injection, followed by a further delayed pulse release one or two months later. The CRC’s approach is based on biopolymer nanoparticle technology. The second project is focused on developing synthetic ‘smart’ surfaces which mimic the natural environment in which stem cells reside in the body, with the ultimate goal of developing blood cell therapies. Developments made through the project include bioactive coatings, microstructured cell culture surfaces, and a new technology for the surface modification of electrospun membranes. More information at: www.crcp.com.au

Medical science and technology sector

CRC for Biomarker Translation – Protein and peptide engineeringThe CRC-BT’s principal objective is the development of antibodies directed against therapeutic and diagnostic targets (biomarkers) present on cells that play a key role in major diseases, including autoimmune disease (especially rheumatoid arthritis) and cancers (haematological, colorectal, breast and prostate). It is hoped that the outputs from the CRC-BT will transform the management of these diseases through the development of specific diagnostic tests and new therapeutics associated with novel cell surface molecules, referred to as ‘membrane biomarkers’, identified

CRC Program Tel: 02 6213 7177 Web: www.crc.gov.au Postal: GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601

A view of clumps of bacterial cells (microcolonies) that grow in biofilms. Green cells are alive and red cells are dead. (Image courtesy of EBCRC)

on cancer cells and human leucocytes. The CRC-BT is managed by TransBio Limited, an independent company from the CRC. More information at: www.biomarkercrc.com.au

CRC for Biomedical Imaging Development (CRCBID)The CRC for Biomedical Imaging Development’s (CRCBID) two research streams continue their work to enable an improvement in the targeting and detection of diseases in their early stages. Commercial partner, Cyclotek Australia Pty Ltd, is now producing a tracer according to a synthesis process optimised by CRCBID’s radiopharmaceutical chemists. Fluoro ethyl tyrosine (FET) is ready for use in phase 2/3 clinical trials with clinical protocols being negotiated. The tracer fluoro propyl methionine (FPM) has been used in pre-clinical studies, and continues to show potential as a whole-body imaging agent. Another tracer, referred to as MEL50, is showing great promise as a diagnostic tool for melanoma. Patent cooperation treaty (PCT) applications have been lodged for FPM as well as MEL50 and first ‘in-human’ studies of these tracers are scheduled for 2010. Detector stream researchers are working to develop smart and fast microchips that are an integral part of detector systems designed to produce ‘colour’ (energy resolved) X-rays which will improve contrast, and therefore the diagnostic capacity of X-ray imaging. A second in-house X-ray detector microchip has been manufactured which is producing promising results. A first prototype detector system which uses this chip is now operational and a further advanced prototype is under development. More information at: www.crcbid.com.au

CRC for Cancer Therapeutics (CTx) – small molecule cancer drugsCTx is one of the largest public/private partnerships in cancer drug research in the world. Working with its participant organisations, many of Australia’s leading cancer research institutes, CTx manages and invests in newly-discovered drug targets or preliminary ‘hit’ compounds to discover, protect and develop small molecule compounds into pre-clinical drug candidates with commercial potential. CTx’s specific focus is on discovering and developing the next generation of global cancer therapies – namely small molecule cancer drugs. CTx has already established collaborations with many of Australia’s leading research institutes and a number of commercial organisations to provide the important link between cutting edge cancer research and clinical development of new cancer drugs. More information at: www.cancercrc.com

CRC for Oral Health Science (CRC-OHS) – Fluoride Recaldent a health winner A range of tooth-decay-fighting and tooth-remineralisation products have been developed by the CRC for Oral Health Science, the most recent of which is Tooth Mousse Plus (incorporating fluoride). Professor Eric Reynolds, head of the Melbourne Dental School at the University of Melbourne, embarked in the 1980s to discover whether calcium and phosphate from cows milk could be delivered to teeth in a way to repair damaged tooth enamel. The resulting identification of a calcium phosphate complex ‘CPP-ACP’ (casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate)

as the valuable decay-fighting and remineralisation agent, led to the successful commercialisation of Recaldent™, marketed globally in chewing gum, mints, and professional dental products such as the dental crème, Tooth Mousse. CRC-OHS then investigated CPP-ACP (Recaldent™) combined with fluoride (long recognised as an effective tooth decay preventive). Studies revealed that the new Recaldent peptide-complex-plus-fluoride penetrated deeper into teeth and that its remineralising power was accelerated by the incorporation of fluoride. Recaldent products have become a great commercial and public health success - recommended by dentists to patients in over 50 countries. More information at: http://www.crcoralhealthscience.org.au/

Cancers with an 18F-labelled amino acid ana-logue: Prostate - PC3 (left) and colon - Colo205 (right) tumour-bearing mice imaged with fluoro propyl methionine (FPM). Tumours are indicated by the white arrows. Image courtesy Dr Delphine Denoyer, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

CRC Program Tel: 02 6213 7177 Web: www.crc.gov.au Postal: GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601

The HEARing CRCThe HEARing CRC (which succeeds the CRC for Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Innovation) conducts innovative research in biopharmacology and physiology. Research is focused on prevention of hearing loss and tinnitus; better understanding of hearing pathways in the brain as well as genetic and cellular components of hearing and hearing loss; and development of next generation bionic ears, intelligent hearing aids and hearing protection. In partnership with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Murigen Ltd, the HEARing CRC is working on new approaches to identification/diagnosis of individuals at risk of developing early onset hearing loss. Ground breaking work is also being undertaken into the identification of molecules that can be targeted by drugs for prevention or treatment of hearing loss. The HEARing CRC continues to work closely with Cochlear Ltd, and, in association with the Universities of Melbourne and Wollongong, conducts a range of projects from the development of film electrodes to passive drug delivery in the cochlea, to improve the efficiency and efficacy of cochlear implants. More information at: www.hearingcrc.org

The Vision CRC – Oxygen for ocular healthThe development, by the Vision CRC, of breathable, silicone-hydrogel polymers for contact lenses, coupled with advanced lens design and physiological science, has transformed the Australian and global commercial vision and eye care market. Significant health benefits have been achieved through development of breathable lens materials which offer superior oxygen transmissibility, biocompatibility and increased flexibility of use. Vision CRC advances in the past have resulted in highly successful commercial endeavours such as the development of the O2Optix contact lens, a CIBA Vision product, and the soft toric lens, which was released in 2001 and which still commands more than 50% of its market. Today, the Vision CRC is also trialling polymers for revolutionary corneal inlay and onlay lenses, multi-focal contact lenses for presbyopia, developing anti-bacterial continuous-wear contact lenses and anti-myopia (anti-short-sightedness) technology for spectacles and soft contact lenses. As almost two-thirds of the world’s population requires some form of vision correction, the transfer of knowledge through Vision CRC international education and training programmes generates significant global social benefits. More information at: www.visioncrc.org

CRC Program Tel: 02 6213 7177 Web: www.crc.gov.au Postal: GPO Box 9839, Canberra ACT 2601

HEARing CRC