The Institute for Glycomics has capped off 2013 Glycomics Week with a gala dinner to celebrate research achievements and successful partnerships throughout the past year.
Director of the Institute, Professor Mark von Itzstein, thanked everyone for their support for the Institute and their contribution to another successful Glycomics Week.
“The Institute has had a number of major scientific advances during 2013 and I am delighted with our progress,” Professor von Itzstein said.
Patron of the childhood leukaemia research project, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, AC AFC (Ret’d) told dinner guests of his pride in the inroads being made against the disease.
Vaughn Johnson, patron of the melanoma project, added his admiration for the promising work being done in identifying inhibitors for specific sugar structures which are found on melanoma cells.
The Member for Gregory and Queensland Government Whip then assisted the auctioneer keep track of spirited bidding as a range of surprising items went up for sale. They included a monogramed handkerchief belonging to former US President Franklin Roosevelt and a ten kilo block of chocolate. The auction raised in excess of $14,000.
Other events during the 2013 Glycomics Week included the Peter Gallagher Memorial Glycomics Public Lecture given by Professor Benjamin Davis from the University of Oxford. Professor Davis is internationally recognised for his contribution to the field of glycoscience and his lecture “The World is Made of Sugar and Dirt” addressed the issue of why sugars are such important yet neglected molecules.
Professor Davis also took part in the 2013 Glycomics Student Forum with another keynote presentation being made by Associate Professor John Gerrard, Director of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Gold Coast Health.
At the Glycomics Week Gala dinner Professor von Itzstein paid special tribute to the young researchers who work and study at the Institute.
“You are future leaders in the field of medical research and without you the Institute would be nothing.”
Take a look at our photosfrom the Gala dinner on Facebook – Photo Album