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Telomere research at children s medical research institute 2015
The Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) is an Australian-based independent medical research institute that conducts research into the fundamental causes of disease. As of 2014, current research is focused on the causes of cancer, epilepsy and birth defects. CMRI is the organiser of Australia's Jeans for Genes campaign.
Contents
- Telomere research at children s medical research institute 2015
- Children s medical research institute 2015
- Research units
- Major achievements
- Future
- References
The CMRI was founded in 1958 by paediatricians Sir Lorimer Dods, Dr John Fulton and Douglas Burrows, honorary treasurer and later president of the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, to "perform scientific research with a commitment to better treat, and where possible, prevent childhood illness and disability so that all concerned have a better quality of life".
In 2009, the CMRI joined with the University of Newcastle to establish a Chemical Proteomics Centre for Kinomics (CFK) - a new discipline in Australia. This centre, a world-first, was supported by a $3.1 million grant awarded in 2009 by the Australian Cancer Research Foundation.
Children s medical research institute 2015
Research units
Major achievements
In 1995 researcher and current director of CMRI, Roger Reddel and his team discovered ALT (Alternative lengthening of telomeres), a method by which approximately 15% of human cancer cells achieve ‘immortality’ and keep dividing. This work is being pursued with a focus on understanding ALT and developing potential anti-cancer treatments and diagnostic tools.
Other achievements include:
In March 2007, Scott Cohen and his team made a significant discovery in telomerase research by establishing that the enzyme consists of two molecules each of telomerase reverse transcriptase, telomerase RNA, and dyskerin.
Future
As of 2014 the future direction of CMRI was focused on the development of epilepsy treatments that will help children (and adults) around the world; the development of new treatments for kidney disease and diabetes; gene therapy cures for rare genetic diseases in children; new treatments for infectious diseases; telomere research to help understand predisposition to disease; and to find new and better treatments for every type of cancer.