Donations to a team of Perth geneticists from a Perth philanthropist have served as a catalyst for nearly $3million to be granted by the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund.
The man, who established a fund in memory of his late wife and son, wants to remain anonymous, but the head of the genetics team at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Professor Nigel Laing AO said he thanks him from the bottom of his heart.
“The donations he has generously made to our team since 2017 enabled us to investigate genes that cause devastating conditions. This work resulted is our team publishing three papers in the world-renowned journal Brain.
“His ongoing support provided the seed funding for our research into neurodegenerative disorders which put us in a very strong position to apply for the National Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant,” said Professor Laing.
MRFF applications require research teams to list publications and show there is public support for their work.
The $2,996,253.50 grant was announced today by the Genomics Health Futures Mission (GHFM), a sub section of the MRFF which has a budget of $500m to fund research projects over a 10-year period starting in 2018.
The national roll-out of pre-pregnancy screening program, Mackenzie’s Mission was the first project funded by the GHFM. Professor Laing leads the roll-out of Mackenzies Mission in WA.
The Harry Perkins Institute research will investigate the genetic causes of neurological disorders including ataxias, where patients lack muscle control or coordination of voluntary movements, such as speaking, eye movement, swallowing or walking.
Related news (external):
The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care, MEDIA RELEASE, 30 June 2021
$180 million in medical research to improve the lives of Australians
