|
Around half the diseases in the world have no treatment, and one in 20 children is born with a congenital abnormality or genetic disease. Finding cures for diseases takes many years of intricate work.
CMRI does research to unravel the mysteries of childhood disease such as birth defects, epilepsy and cancer. Most of our work is carried out in a laboratory with test tubes, cell cultures, and computers. But at some stages during the progress of a research program there is no alternative to using animals.
CMRI keeps mice and rats for the purpose of research. All the animals used at CMRI are for the purpose of researching human health, development and illness with the aim of finding effective treatments and preventions for childhood diseases.
The great majority of our research is conducted in cells grown in the laboratory. Some recent developments from our cell-based research include:
Core enzyme involved in 85% of cancers identified
Research into cancer, anticancer treatments, and ageing has been advanced through the identification of the composition of human telomerase - an enzyme integral to 85% of all cancers. This discovery paves the way for further studies to determine the 3D structure of the enzyme, an essential step in the development of new anti-cancer drugs.
CMRI scientists discovered a key mechanism that allows cancer cells to multiply unchecked.
Called “ALT” for Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres. This mechanism is responsible for up to 15% of all cancers, including some of the most common brain tumours and osteosarcomas (bone cancer) which most commonly affect young people. Turning off this survival strategy in cancer cells is a major clue to developing a very specific treatment for these cancers. In 2009, CMRI scientists developed a rapid and accurate assay that will greatly speed up the search for medicines to treat cancers that rely on ALT.
CMRI scientists pioneered a way of using gene therapy to repair damaged heart tissue.
Heart tissue is damaged in children with congenital heart disease, people with heart disease or people who have suffered a heart attack. When heart tissue is damaged the heart muscle forms scar tissue cells that impair the ability of the heart to function normally. CMRI scientists developed a technique to repair the damaged heart muscle cells by adding normal human genes to scar tissue cells. This technique could not only benefit heart disease patients and children who are born with congenital heart defects but also people with a range of genetic and non-genetic conditions.
CMRI's policy on the care of experimental animals is based on the '2004 NHMRC Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes' and the 'Animal Research Act 1985'.
One of the primary purposes of the code, one that our scientists strive to adhere to, is to promote the development and use of techniques that replace animal use in scientific and teaching activities.
Of paramount importance to CMRI, and encouraged and practised by all staff, is the need to first consider:
-
the replacement of animals with other methods;
-
the reduction in the number of animals used;
-
the refinement of techniques to reduce or eliminate the impact on animals.
After many years of testing theories and concepts in cells and test tubes, our research and discoveries may reach a stage where they need to be tested in vivo (in living systems). Many results produced in cells and test tubes are not consistently achieved in living organisms. Many therapies and medicines would not be available today without testing in living systems. Therefore on occasion we use mice or rats.
Our use of animals in research complies with the stringent guidelines set out by various bodies. Some of these are outlined below:
-
CMRI complies with the guidelines set out by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) on a yearly basis.
-
CMRI is licensed by the Department of Agriculture for breeding and for research purposes. This licence is reviewed on a yearly basis.
-
The Animal Review and Research Panel inspects CMRI research facilities triennially.
All research projects are investigated and scrutinised by the Scientific Advisory Committee for scientific validity. Research projects are then examined by the Animal Care and Ethics Committee. Compliance to both these procedures is examined on a yearly basis for each research project and each project must be renewed and subjected to both processes every three years.
All scientific staff at CMRI undergo theoretical and practical training in the use of animals. CMRI's animal facility is overseen by a practising small animal veterinarian and all animal technical staff hold college or TAFE qualifications.
Back to FAQs page.
|