League greats tackle melanoma research

The University of Queensland (UQ) has received a $48,000 donation to its cancer research institute from cancer charity group, Mardi Jackson Foundation.

A specialised microscope to aid scientists in the study of the most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma, was bought with the donation to UQ's Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

The money was raised by Former Origin Greats (FOGs), a non-profit group that helps rugby league, communities and charities.

FOG chairman, Richard Turner said the money was raised through FOG art unions, charity lunches and memorabilia auctions.

The Diamantina's leading melanoma researcher, Dr Brian Gabrielli and his Cell Cycle Group are identifying genes that make people more susceptible to melanoma.

Gabrielli said the inverted fluorescence microscope allowed his staff to analyse the expression of intracellular proteins.