Blogs

‘Lost in Translation’ could be the theme of much of Australian biomedical research: In Australia, particularly here in the Parkville biomedical precinct, we punch above our weight when it comes to the quality and output of our scientific publications – we’re world class at so called ‘basic’ or fundamental research, but we’re a bit lost when it comes to translation.

Where to go to escape an email inbox? A little over a month ago, in an attempt to seek some rest and recreation, I boarded a plane and headed to Peru for my annual leave.

At this time of year our lecture theatres, hallways and lab offices fill with the sounds of Honours and Masters graduate research students busily completing their projects and preparing to present their reports in thesis and oral formats. Last Wednesday and Thursday the School of Chemistry MSc/Hons students presented their talks in the Bio21 auditorium and this week the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Honours students presented their final talks.

Although on holiday, I could not completely switch off my ‘operations brain’. I could not help but wonder about what was happening in the background to allow us to enjoy this carefree experience and I was fortunate enough to receive a glimpse of this at the Captain’s Welcome Drinks, where we heard from the Operations Director of the ship.

CSL recently marked another major milestone in its 103 year history, announcing the construction of a new purpose-built global headquarters in the heart of the Parkville precinct.

Last week as part of the Faculty of Science’s ‘Science Festival’, I was invited to participate in a panel discussion: ‘Different perspectives, one solution. How can we cross the divide between the physical and life sciences, engineering and the humanities?’ The event showcased some wonderful examples of multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research.

This year, the year I officially retired from the School of Chemistry (but not from the Bio21 Institute), has inadvertently become as busy as ever. It has coincided with a significant year for chemistry: the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements; and it has been wonderful and humbling to receive a Queen’s Birthday Honour, which I celebrated with the Bio21 leadership team over dinner last week. I also felt very privileged to have been chosen to introduce the World Chemistry Leaders meeting at the IUPAC 2019 Congress in Paris, France on 10 July.

In the past week, the Bio21 Institute has received a cryo-electron microscope (EM) Glacios. The instrument belongs to the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS), but in exchange for housing the microscope we receive shared access to it.

Communication is as much about listening as it is about speaking or writing.

If you go to the second floor of the Nancy Millis building common area, you get a good view of the demolition of the 1950 additions of the old Veterinary Research Institute.