The 84th floor of the EurekaTower, with stunning viewsacross Melbourne and Por tPhilip Bay, was the venue for ‘AnEvening at the Top’ on July 29th,2006 to raise funds for SVI’sresearch.

Holding this exclusive, never tobe repeated event was thebrainchild of Benni Aroni, EurekaTower’s Developer Represent-ative and long term supporterof SVI, who provided the 84thfloor for the night, weeks beforeit was open to the public.

Paul O’Brien from the O’BrienGroup of Companies sponsoredthe transformation of the empty

shell into a beautiful room and generously provided the food and wine, whilePeter Jack of The Event Management Group created a classy ‘5 star’ restaurantout of a raw building site.

Guests were treated to a wonderful six course degustation menu createdespecially for the evening by renowned chefs Ray Capaldi of Fenix Restaurantand Shannon Bennett of Vue de monde.

Performers Cedric Cannon and LaRose Saxon, from Broadway musical Porgyand Bess, interrupted their Australian tour to enter tain courtesy of Living ArtsNew York (Inc) and Andrew McKinnon in association with Malcolm C. Cookeand Associates.

This magical night would not have been possible without our sponsors and wewould like to thank: Centro Properties Group, Dansu Group, Futuretronics,Investec, Kay & Burton, Salta Properties and Trivett Classic.

We are indebted to our wonderful Master of Ceremonies Barry Plant, ourfantastic donors and our generous guests who supported this unique event andpar ticipated enthusiastically in the auction and fund raising activities.

Thank you all for your support of the continuous discovery at SVI.

continued page 2

continuous discoverySVI Newsletter November 2006

Paul O’Brien Terry Bracks with Tony and Elda Schiavello Benni Aroni and Barry Plant

IN THIS ISSUE

AN EVENING AT THE TOPOF EUREKA TOWER

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

MEDIA MOGUL HAROLDMITCHELL TOURS SVI

FUNDING GROUND-BREAKING RESEARCHAT SVI

SVI $10,000INVESTMENT CLUB

VCE STUDENTS VISITSVI TO SEE BIOLOGYIN ACTION

SVI SOCCER SUCCESS

CHINESE CONSULGENERAL VISITS SVI

INTERNATIONAL SVI

CONNECTIONSWITH TSINGHUAUNIVERSITYSTRENGTHENEDWITH VISITINGSCIENTISTS

FIGHTING FAT

SVI FOUNDATIONPOSTGRADUATEAWARDS

WHOCOLLABORATIVESTUDY ATINSTITUTE

DANCING LIKE THE STARS OF SVI

SVI 1000 CLUB – HITS 300 MARK

THE SNOWBALLEFFECT OFWORKPLACE GIVING

SVI SUPPORTERS MEET AFL LEGENDRODNEY EADE

CLINICAL RESEARCH INTO DIABETES

SVI THANKS JDRF

St Vincent’s InstitutePostal: 41 Victoria Parade,Fitzroy Victoria 3065

Located: 9 Princes Street,Fitzroy Victoria 3065

Telephone: + 61 3 9288 2480Facsimile: + 61 3 9416 2676

Email: enquiries@svi.edu.auWeb: www.svi.edu.au

An ‘Evening At The Top’of Eureka Tower

Ray Capaldi of Fenix Restaurant.

Shannon Bennett of Vue de monde.

Gerald Delany, Christine Tarascio and Ross Savas

Our special thank you to the following:

Paul O’Brien – O’Brien Group of Companies Centro Properties Group – Graham TerryBenni Aroni – Developer’s Representative, Eureka Tower Dansu Group – Sue Alberti AMRay Capaldi – Fenix Restaurant Futuretronics – Harry ChojnaShannon Bennett – Vue de monde Investec – Duncan CaldwellPeter Jack – The Event Management Group Kay & Burton – Ross Savas New York Living Arts (Inc) and Andrew McKinnon Salta Properties – Sam and Christine TarascioCedric Cannon and LaRose Saxon Trivett Classic – Greg Duncan

We are very grateful to the following who generously provided prizes and in-kind support:

Barry Plant – Master of Ceremonies San PellegrinoCorporate Audio Visual Small Luxury Hotel Group – Lake HouseFenix Restaurant Susan Alberti Charitable FoundationGRV Printers Trivett ClassicHardy Brothers Jewellers Video CowboysHarrolds Vue de mondeMatso’s Broome Brewery Westin Hotel – MelbourneMint Personnel Willie Creek PearlsMoonlight Bay Suites Wrights Communications

SVI extends a huge thank you to the SVI Foundation Events Committee for all their outstanding hard work.

An Evening At The Top of Eureka Tower continued

Director’s ReportThis issue shows what abusy year it has been forthe SVI Foundation and aswe look forward to our50th bir thday celebrationsin 2008 we recognise whata great job they have beendoing suppor ting SVI.Established just three yearsago the Foundation nowprovides very substantialsuppor t for equipment,new facilities and supportfor young scientists

star ting out on their careers.The Foundation’s support has been oneof three major ingredients in our rapid growth over the last five years.The other factors have been increased peer-reviewed funding,especially through the National Health and Medical Research Council(NHMRC) and infrastructure support, par ticularly from the VictorianState Government, but also from the NHMRC. Looking back, growthof the Institute has meant doubling our income every five or six yearsfor a long time. Looking forward we expect the same to continue aswe seek to achieve critical mass in our major research areas, whichwill increase the impact on important health problems of thecommunity.

Our researchers’ retreat was held at the Portsea Hotel over two daysrecently and was a great opportunity to look at the future of SVI.We are grateful to Andrew and Lyn Henderson from the PortseaHotel who have been sponsors of SVI functions and on this occasionlooked after us all very well.

Major competitive grants from the Australian Research Council(ARC) and NHMRC have recently been announced and there wasexcellent news for SVI scientists. Highlights included the renewal ofRobyn Starr’s five year NHMRC Program Grant held together withher colleagues from The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.The award ofa prestigious Centre for Clinical Research Excellence (CCRE) inClinical Science in Diabetes to my group and colleagues at TheUniversity of Melbourne Department of Medicine at St. Vincent’sHealth, led by Professor Jim Best and the Centre for Eye ResearchAustralia (Prof Hugh Taylor) was also good news. Both these grantsindicate the collaborative nature of much of our research and theimportant links between laboratory-based research at SVI and clinicalresearch nearby.

Thanks to all our supporters for their help in 2006 and we wish youall the very best for the holiday season.

Tom Kay

Harold Mitchell’s company is well known as the largest media agencyin Australia, but few are aware of his commitment to supporting thear ts and health. In pursuit of his interest in Australian health issues,Harold Mitchell and his daughter Amanda toured SVI in September tolearn more about our metabolism research.

Harold recently lost 40kg and he was delighted to meet SVI’sProfessor Bruce Kemp, whose team is investigating the action of theAMPK enzyme in regulating the burning and storage of fats and sugars.Bruce explained that his work will lead to an understanding of howAMPK can offset the effect of obesity and diabetes.

Bruce said: “Harold was very sharp and knew the gist of what youwere talking about before you finished the sentence.”

“He immediately saw the potential for therapeutic drugs thatmimicked the health benefits of exercise, but also recognised itpresents a huge research challenge, requiring a long term focus.”

Students from Xavier College and Genazzano FCJ Collegevisited SVI in August to consolidate their biology studies atschool. Hosted by Professor Jack Martin, 38 students and theirteachers visited four areas of research.

Some students had recently learned about diabetes and wereable to view pancreatic cells under the microscope, with theguidance of Helen Thomas and Pete Campbell. Protein structureand function had also been a recent study topic and the studentswere very interested to find out more about crystallographyfrom Lorien Parker and David Ascher. Steve Bouralexis spoke tothe students about cancer and bone metastasis and finally,Natalie Sims and Jonathon Gooi explained the research beingundertaken into bones and arthritis.

Claire Allemand, Head of Biology at Xavier College said: “It wasa wonderful and rare opportunity for the students to gain a realunderstanding of the importance of research and the relevanceof the topics they study in the classroom.”

SVI is developing a concept to establish an investment fund of $5 million over a five year period. The idea was brought to us bylong time SVI supporter Ross Savas, a Partner at Kay & Burton.

The fund is being established to assist SVI scientists to purchaseequipment and technologies and fund new medical researchinitiatives as they arise.The idea is simple – we need to encourage100 individuals and companies to invest $10,000 per year for fiveyears. We are delighted to report that we have five membersalready signed up.

A more detailed overview will be featured in the next newsletter.If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact ChristineTarascio, SVI Foundation board member on 0418 318 627.

An investment in SVI is an investment in your health

The Institute has received a grant for $75,000 from the LordMayor’s Charitable Fund – Eldon and Anne Foote Trust,which will provide valuable suppor t for some of our ground-breaking work on an enzyme called AMPK, that can affectthe levels of sugars, fats and cholesterol in the blood stream.

We believe this enzyme could play a significant role intreating diseases that affect the body’s metabolism, including diabetes, obesity andcardiovascular disease.These cost Australia’s health system millions of dollars a year.This grant will suppor t Greg Steinberg’s research in this area.

MEDIA MOGUL HAROLD MITCHELL TOURS SVI

Harold Mitchell and his daughter Amanda with Professor Bruce Kemp.

Leigh Wallace – General Manager of the Greater MelbourneFoundation, Anne Foote – Eldon and Anne Foote Trust and

Greg Steinberg – St Vincent’s Institute.

SVI $10,000 INVESTMENT CLUB

Funding ground-breaking research at SVI

Leader Community Newspapers started a campaign in August andSeptember to raise $10,000 in donations towards the 2007 targetof $1 million for funding research. Leader Newspapers’ GeneralManager Sylvia Bradshaw, a supporter of SVI, has created thispartnership to raise awareness of SVI’s work. Readers have beeninvited to support the future of medical research through the SVI$10,000 Investment Club.

VCE students visit SVI tosee biology in action

Tristan Iseli a PhDstudent from ProfessorBruce Kemp's ProteinChemistry andMetabolism group at SVI,recently put his researchknowledge into practiceby competing in theAustralian UniversityGames held in Adelaide24th-29th September.

Tristan representedMelbourne University insoccer, captaining his sideto bronze, the highestfinish for over 10 years,with MelbourneUniversity again retainingthe overall games title.To crown thisachievement he was alsoselected for the AllAustralia 'Green andGold' Team to representAustralia in the upcomingWorld University Gamesin Thailand.

SVISOCCERSUCCESS

Mr Wang Honglin, Dr Ye Chen, Professor Jack Martin, Mr Liang Shugen,Professor Tom Kay, Mrs Shugen and Mr Wang Wenxuan

The Structural Biology Laboratory hosted three visiting scientists from Tsinghau University,Beijing for a month in August this year.The visitors, Dr Xuemei Li, Dr Haitao Yang, and MrQi Zhao came from Professor Zihi Rao’s laboratory of Structural Biology at Tsinghua.These researchers came to study cell-free expression and associated techniques and gainexperience in an Australian laboratory. They quickly set to work after their arrival underthe supervision of Luke Miles and Peter Walsh.

While Xuemei, Haitao and Qi were very pleased with their successes in the lab, the triphighlight was being introduced to the SVI mascots; the ringtail possums in Carlton gardens.Our mascots enjoy hand fed snacks at dusk and are a must-see for all international visitorswith a penchant for furry Australian fauna.

In our last newsletter we reported on Prof Rao’s earlier visit to SVI where he hadpreviously completed his PhD. Professor Rao said: “I would just like to express my deepappreciation to you for kindly hosting three of my group members at St Vincent’s. I believe theskills they gained in cell-free protein expression from your lab will transform our research inChina. I am very proud to be an alumnus of St Vincent’s and your help means a great deal tome and my group. I always feel like St Vincent’s and Melbourne is my home, so I sincerely hopeI can maintain close links with St Vincent’s in the future.”

Connections with Tsinghua University strengthened with visiting scientists

In July, Professor Jack Martin arranged avisit to SVI by the Chinese ConsulGeneral, Mr Liang Shugen, Mrs Shugen,together with representatives Mr WangHonglin (Vice-Consul) and Mr WangWenxuan (Consul – Education) from theChinese Consulate. SVI has many long-standing links with China through anumber of students and scientists workingat SVI past and present. We weredelighted to have Dr Ye Chen (2006Rhodes Scholar and former student ofProfessor Kay) meet with our visitors.

Several SVI researchers have travelled the worland to present their work at nat

Here is a snapshot of s

CHINESE CONSUL GENERAL VISITS SVI

Internati

Left to right: Dr Luke Miles, Dr Xuemei Li, Professor MichaelParker, Dr Haitao Yang, Mr Qi Zhao and Dr Peter Walsh

Assoc. Professor Matthew GillespiePresented at osteoporosis and

osteoimmunology conferences inToronto and Crete.

Dr Greg SteinbergInvited presentations in Montreal,Hamilton and Michigan. Presentedat AMPK and obesity conferences

in Snowmass, Hamilton Island and Sydney.

Professor Tom KayPresented at a diabetes conference

in Washington DC. Also gavepresentations on the Gold Coast

and in Sydney.

Dr Vicky KartsogiannisReceived a travel award to

present a poster at anosteoimmunology

conference in Crete.

WHOCollaborativeStudy atInstitute

d in recent months to meet with collaboratorstional and international meetings.some of their activities.

The Institute has accept-ed an invitation from theNational Institute ofBiological Standards,Hertfordshire, UK to be aparticipating laboratory ina World HealthOrganisation (WHO)Collaborative Study toestablish the firstinternational standard forrecombinant parathyroidhormone (PTH). Thishormone is used in manycountries for treatment ofsevere osteoporosis, and isthe first treatment that isable to build bone againafter it has been lost.The SVIbone research group isrecognised for its work overmany years on PTH.

SVI’s participation is based onmethods developed in theMartin laboratory – Bone,Joint and Cancer – formeasuring the biological activityof PTH, as well as the extensiveexperience of the Kemplaboratory – Protein Chemistryand Metabolism – in the synthesisand chemistry of PTH.

In addition, the National SerologyReference Laboratory has beenredesignated as a WHOCollaborating Centre on HIV and

Blood-borne Infections.

Pat Ho (L), will be carryingout the biological assays andFrosa Katsis (R) the protein

chemical analyses.

SVI Foundation Postgraduate AwardsThe SVI Foundation generously supports a Student Award scheme that promotesSt Vincent’s Institute (SVI) as an excellent research institute for postgraduate training.The Foundation secures these funds from either corporate or individualsponsorship. Currently eight of our students are supported by these awards. HereDavid Ascher, one of the first awardees, writes about his PhD research.

“In 2005 I was awarded an SVI Foundation Postgraduate Award, sponsored by ColinNorth and Major Engineering, to support my PhD studies into the development of noveldrugs to improve memory and cognitive function. In collaboration with the Howard FloreyInstitute, I am studying a protein called insulin-regulated membrane aminopeptidase(IRAP). It has been shown that the inhibition of IRAP results in a dramatic improvementin memory, yet very little is known about it. My studies have focused on understanding

how IRAP works and determining its 3-dimensional structure, which will aid our design of inhibitors that could be usedclinically to treat memory loss. I feel extremely privileged to be chosen for this award and it has been of enormousassistance in the pursuit of my studies and research. On behalf of myself and my fellow award recipients, thank you tothe sponsors of this program.” David holds an Australian Postgraduate Award.

If anyone would like to be involved in sponsoring a student at the Institute, please contact Clare Lacey on 03 9288 2480.

David Ascher with supervisorProfessor Michael Parker

onal SVI

Professor Jack MartinCollaboration discussions inCopenhagen and Verona.

Presented at endocrine andbone conferences in Boston

and Newfoundland.

Professor Bruce KempPresented at AMPK, signaltransduction and obesity

conferences in Snowmass, Kyoto,Queenstown and Sydney.

Dr Jorg HeierhorstPresented at genome

and pharmacologyconferences in Villars

and Hanover.

Dr Natalie SimsPresented at a Calcified Tissue

Society meeting in Prague.

Fighting FatDr Matthew Watt completed his PhD at Deakin University and moved to Canadato complete postdoctoral work at the University of Guelph and McMasterUniversity. His work during this time focussed on the factors that breakdown fat in muscle, particularlyduring exercise. Upon returning to Australia, Matt worked at RMIT for three years and has recently joinedSVI’s Protein Chemistry and Metabolism laboratory, headed by Professor Bruce Kemp.The general aim of Matt’s research is to study how fats are broken down in muscle and adipose tissue andhow these processes can be made more efficient. This research has direct implications for people withobesity and type 2 diabetes, who store more fat and are less able to burn fat.This is particularly relevantwith the 2006 National Health Survey, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, indicating that 62%of Australian men and 45% of women are overweight or obese.Matt was recently awarded an R D Wright Career Development Award from the National Health andMedical Research Council to continue this research at SVI. “While I promote regular exercise and healthyeating for the maintenance of healthy weight, long term adherence to these lifestyle changes is low andrebound weight gain is often observed - hence the need to search for alternative pharmacological therapiesfor the treatment of obesity.”

SVI supporters were treated to a night of glamour as they dancedthe night away in the Park Hyatt on 26th August, coached byChannel 7’s Dancing With The Stars judge, Mark Wilson.

The evening began with Director Tom Kay introducing two of SVI’sPhD stars, Tristan Iseli and Sarah Jones, who expressedtheir enthusiasm for medical research and illustrated howSVI has supported the beginning of their careers in science.

While guests enjoyed an excellent meal and wine, SVI’slatest video was shown featuring sponsors SaltaProperties/Westgate Logistics, who recommended thatcompanies support the significant contribution SVI makes tothe future health of our community.

Brenda Shanahan, Chair of the SVI Board, thanked Clive Smith,Chairman of Deutsche Bank Australia and New Zealand, for theircontinued generous support of medical research at SVI.This is thethird consecutive year Deutsche Bank AG has been the majorsponsor of this dinner. Clive spoke about the importance ofmedical research and encouraged guests to continue their supportof SVI’s work.

Susan Alberti AM, Chair of the SVI Foundation Board, has beeninvolved with medical research for many years following herdaughter’s diabetes diagnosis which sadly caused her death at theage of 32. Now battling herself against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma andDiabetes, Sue expressed how important it was to support SVI’sresearch and the health of future generations.

To this end, Christine Tarascio, Chair of the Events Committee,announced the formation of the SVI $10,000 Investment Club,which will provide funds for future growth of research work at SVI.

After a dazzling show by the dancing talents of J.A.M.M. DanceCentres, six guests were selected to take a short dancing lessonwith the professionals and performed on stage where guestNunzio Pellicano stole the show. From then on guests inspired bythe amateur and professional duos took to the dance floor.

The auction was a huge success with auctioneer Barry Planttempting guests to bid for an AFL Grand Final Package and CoxPlate Package, kindly donated by Martin Ralston; a Miele topeleven restaurant tour organised by Ray Capaldi of FenixRestaurant; and a dozen bottles of reserve wine donated byCasella Wines.The winner of the three nights accommodation andbusiness class tickets to Auckland raffle prize, kindly donated by

Brenda Shanahan and Cllive Smith

Liz andRichardJenkings

Toni andVic Zagame

Nunzio Pellicano withJ.A.M.M. Dancer

J.A.M.M. Dancers

Lyn and Andrew Henderson

the Susan Alberti CharitableFoundation, was Jeff Copolov fromBatesmart.

We would like to extend ourheartfelt thank you to our majorsponsor Deutsche Bank, togetherwith supporting sponsors SaltaProperties/Westgate Logistics, Kay& Burton, Portsea Hotel, ZagameHotels and GoldAge for theirsupport of SVI’s continuousdiscovery.

The event would not have been possible without the help andassistance of: Master of Ceremonies Barry Plant, Mark Wilson ofJ.A.M.M. Dance Centres, GRV Printers, Casella Wines whodonated all the wine for the dinner, Production Plus filming, andthe SVI Starlets Ayleisha, Anna, Leah and Meg, who sold our raffletickets.

Christine TarascioChairSVI Foundation Events Committee

Mark Wilson

Colin North and Sue Alberti

Clive Smith

Sam and Christine Tarascio

Vic and Toni Zagame

Richard Jenkings and Sue Alberti

Gerald Delany and Ross Savas

Andrew and Lyn Henderson

THE SNOWBALLEFFECT OFWORKPLACEGIVINGWorkplace Giving Australia –everyone is taking part, are you?The literature says thatworkplace giving is a simpleand effective way foremployees to donate directlyto charitable organisationsand receive a tax deductionwithout the need to keepreceipts, but that is only thetip of the iceberg.

Giving to SVI through yourpayroll means that yourdonation goes straight tofunding research with noadministration costs to SVI.You can make a privategiving decision, which overtime will make a hugeimpact on the preventionand cure of diseasesaffecting you and yourcommunity.

If you decide to donate$10 per month, that willbe a donation of $120over the year. If five otherpeople in your companyalso gave $120 per year,that would be $720 and ifyour company invested inmatched giving, thatwould be $1440.You andyour colleagues would befunding the purchase ofvital equipment, the workof a scientist, thediscovery of a drug whichcould treat a disease suchas diabetes, cancer orAlzheimer’s.

There is also the taxreduction benefit. If yougive $10 per month, thededuction in your takehome pay would only be$6.75 (at the 32.5% taxrate) but SVI would receivethe full amount.

Employers introducing work-place giving communicatetheir social responsibility, notonly to their customers butalso to their employees.It is simple and straightforwardto set up and the benefits arelong lasting for the company,their staff and SVI.

If you would like to nominate SVIfor your Workplace Givingprogram or you would like moreinformation on how to set aprogram up, please e-mail JoCrowston on jcrowston@svi.edu.au

SVI 1Club HITS 300 MARK

Another stellar year for SVI is drawing to an end andour joy and privilege to associate with the peopleand projects of SVI continues unabated. Highlights ofthe year have included memorable functions atEureka, Hyatt and Crown where discreet director’sdinners have been held. Thank you to those whoattended and to those that did not let’s share theSVI experience in 2007.I am delighted to welcome to the SVI 1000 Clubfamily new members Alex and Nicola Commins.Their individual memberships bring the number ofmembers to 300.Mr Alex Commins, Chief Executive Officer ofColorpak Limited says: “The Commins family andColorpak Limited are very privileged and honoured tobe involved with St Vincent's Institute. We have had thegood fortune to take a tour of the Institute and meetwith some of the scientists and see first hand howpassionate they are about medical research.” Alexcontinued, ‘It is imperative for the community tocommit to supporting medical research as it will havea major impact on all our lives. We would recommendanyone who is thinking about joining or renewing theirmembership to the SVI 1000 Club to make thecommitment.’

Colorpak Limited, a member since July 2003, hasbeen very supportive of our activities.Funds raised by your membership are appliedtoward the vital research being undertaken by the

scientists at SVI who focus on exploring diseasecausation, prevention, treatment and cure. Theircommitment to discovering practical and far-reaching solutions to diseases that impact on theeveryday life of people around the world, deservesour financial support.Many of our 300 members have renewed theirmembership for either a second or third time. If youwould like to renew your membership and are notsure of the date you joined please contact SVI on9288 2480 and we can advise. Members of the Clubwill have opportunities for networking whilst at thesame time contributing to a charitable organization.Membership is fully tax deductible.The first function for 2007 will be the rescheduledSVI 1000 Club luncheon with special guest speakerthe Hon. Kevin Andrews MP, Minister forEmployment and Workplace Relations andMinister Assisting the Prime Minister forthe Public Service. The lunch will beheld in the first half of 2007 and allmembers will receive a personalinvitation.I would like to thank all themembers for their continuedsupport.

Benni AroniHeadSVI 1000 Club

Nicola and Alex Commins

SVI Supporters Meet AFL Legend Rodney EadeTensions were high inMelbourne on 21stSeptember 2006 inanticipation of the AFLGrand Final but notduring the inspiring talkgiven by WesternBulldogs coach, RodneyEade at Crown Casinothat night.

SVI supporters attend-ing the Director’sDinner event were

delighted to meet AFL legend, Rodney “Rocket” Eade who played 150games for Hawthorn and the Sydney Swans before taking up a careerin coaching with the Brisbane Bears, the Nor th MelbourneKangaroos, the Sydney Swans and now the Western Bulldogs.

In his first season with the Bulldogs in 2005, Rodney Eadetransformed the under-achieving team and the audience were keento hear how he had done this. Eade stated that what underpinnedsuccess for any player was commitment, perseverance and effor t andonce this was in place then the game plan, tactics, talent and flair canbe allowed to do their job. Eade fielded many questions from theaudience about players and tactics and tipped the West Coast Eaglesas Grand Final winners.

SVI’s Foundation Board Chair, Dr Susan Alber ti AM HonLLD, hostedthe evening and she is as passionate about the Western Bulldogs asshe is about medical research. She later said: “I was delighted to bringSVI and the Western Bulldogs together to raise awareness of SVI’swork and see how dedication and commitment are vital in bothsport and science.”

We are very grateful to Crown Towers for their continued supportand commitment to SVI.

SVI will join with the Departmentof Medicine at St.Vincent’s and theCentre for Eye Research in therecently announced NHMRCCentre for Clinical ResearchExcellence in Clinical Science inDiabetes.

The Centre will focus onrecruiting, training and mentoring

students and early career investigators in clinical diabetesresearch. Studies in patient cohorts will identify novel riskfactors for vascular complications of diabetes to enable earlypreventive treatment. Nutritional and pharmacologicalintervention studies in Indigenous populations will influencethe approach to their diabetes management. Beta celltransplantation studies will guide fur ther development of thisexperimental therapy to treat type 1 diabetes. Ways ofimproving translation of research findings into practice will bestudied directly in the primary care setting.

Clinical Research Into Diabetes

Professor James Best – SVI Board member and Professor

of Medicine at St.Vincent’s.

This year’s annual JDRF fundraiser was once again supported bystaff and students from St Vincent's Institute. The SVI teamraised over $900 through several fundraisers including a bakesale, a footy tipping competition and a sausage sizzle.This total does not include funds raised throughwalk sponsorships, which are yet to be tallied. Asalways, the JDRF Walk for a Cure was a greatday out for colleagues and their families.Thank you to the JDRF for helping fundresearch into type 1 diabetes.

SVI THANKS JDRF

Postal: 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy Victoria 3065Located: 9 Princes Street, Fitzroy Victoria 3065Telephone: + 61 3 9288 2480Facsimile: + 61 3 9416 2676Email: enquiries@svi.edu.auWeb: www.svi.edu.au

Affiliated with St Vincent’s Healthand the University of Melbourne

Continuing the Mission of theSisters of Charity

Best wishes to all for a safe and happy festive season.

Thank you for your continued support.