ACRF International Centre for Cancer Glycomics (ACRF I2CG)
The ACRF International Centre for Cancer Glycomics (ACRF I2CG) is a unique national resource dedicated to cancer glycomics research and the result of significant funding by the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) and Griffith University.
The state-of-the-art equipment and infrastructure, coupled with the brightest scientific talent in the field of cancer glycoproteomics, makes the ACRF I2CG an exciting hub of truly revolutionary cancer research.
Fraunhofer Item & Institute for Glycomics Joint Laboratory for Anti-infective Research
The Institute for Glycomics have partnered with Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (Fraunhofer ITEM), Hannover Medical School, and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in an internationally-funded program called ‘iCAIR®:
Fraunhofer International Consortium for Anti-Infective Research’ to develop new anti-infective drugs. The Consortium aims to discover new treatments to combat respiratory viruses including influenza virus and respiratory infection-causing bacteria and fungi.
The Honda Foundation Pandemic Influenza Research Laboratory
Influenza remains a significant disease with major health impact. This Laboratory, headed by Professor Mark von Itzstein AO, and in collaboration with international partners, is at the forefront of anti-influenza drug discovery and rapid response to emerging influenza viruses.
Our partnerships in China and Europe provide for the discovery of new preventatives and therapies against this very contagious virus. These partnerships have discovered novel chemical entities that are drug-like molecules targeting key components of the influenza virus' life cycle and are now under further investigation as potential drugs.
Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP)
As a node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, the CNBP team at Griffith University provides specialized glycan knowledge and expertise that aids the Centre in its objectives of improving understanding and knowledge of cell communication and the nanoscale molecular interactions in the living body. Notably, every living cell is covered by a dense layer of sugar containing molecules, so called glycoconjugates. These glycoconjugates consist of glycoprotein and glycolipids, which are part of a universal language (glycome) that cells use to communicate. Understanding and translating this glyco-language is one key capacity required to understand all the biological challenges in the CNBP. During the first 3 years of the Centre these sugars have been found to be key to signalling between brain cells, the formation of plaque in arteries and the interaction of egg and sperm as well as the implantation of the embryo into the uterus. Ongoing research will examine these and other areas further. Research expertise across the team includes tissue microdissection glycomics, glycopeptide synthesis, glycobiology in health and disease, MALDI-imaging glycomics as well as mass spectrometric glycan analysis.
Laboratory of Vaccines for the Developing World
The Institute's Laboratory of Vaccines for the Developing World is led by Professor Michael Good AO and is comprised of a dedicated team of postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, regulatory experts and graduate students working in collaboration with Australian and international researchers.
The current focus of the laboratory is the development of a Group A Streptococcal vaccine candidate and a malaria vaccine candidate, known as PlasProtecT®.
PlasProtecT® is the world’s most advanced blood-stage, whole parasite, malaria vaccine candidate and uses whole malaria parasites that overcomes the limitations of sub-unit vaccine approaches. PlasProtecT® is currently in human clinical trials.