A sweet $22 million for Queensland research centre

Griffith University plans to almost triple its number of scientists from 55 to 155 over the next seven years to create the largest glycomics institute in the world following a commitment by the Queensland government and the university to spend AUD$22 million.

The Institute for Glycomics was established at Griffith University's Gold Coast campus in 2000 and is the only dedicated multidisciplinary facility of its kind in Australia, and one of only six such research centres worldwide, researching carbohydrates as potential drug discovery agents.

The Queensland government will provide $1 million this financial year and a further $10 million dollars during the construction phase which will be matched by Griffith University.

"This is an investment in finding cures for a range of afflictions such as influenza, tuberculosis, malaria and, potentially, Asian bird flu." said Queensland premier Peter Beattie in a statement.

"In addition to the potential cures for a wide range of illnesses and diseases, there are also likely to be opportunities for new pharmaceuticals which could bring significant economic benefit to Queensland."

The centerpiece of the expansion would be a new purpose-built facility at the campus combined with an international recruitment effort for another 100 research staff.

The Institute is headed by Australia Prize winner, Federation Fellow and Griffith graduate Professor Mark von Itzstein, who is accredited with having discovered the flu drug Relenza.

Professor von Itzstein said in a statement, "The research involves developing novel chemicals to block cancer and infectious diseases including bacteria, viruses and parasites from attaching to carbohydrates - the means by which these diseases infect our bodies."

Professor von Itzstein confirmed the Institute had already achieved the goals that had been set when it received the Queensland Government's initial support of $8 million in 2000.