New ARC Training Centre in Next-Gen Biomedical Analysis opens in Perth

05 May 2023

The ARC Training Centre in Next-Gen Biomedical Analysis has been officially opened in Perth at The University of Western Australia (UWA), with support from MTPConnect and the WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub.

The Centre is dedicated to building a future-ready workforce for the life sciences industry by delivering innovation and workforce development, facilitating transformative technologies like automation, big data analytics and AI, and fostering Industry 4.0 research training in a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

The Centre, led by the University of Western Australia (UWA), has been awarded more than $4 million over four years from the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Centres scheme.

At the launch, Centre Director Associate Professor Killugudi Swaminatha-Iyer welcomed special guests Judi Zielke, Chief Executive Office of the Australian Research Council (ARC), Senator the Hon Sue Lines (on behalf of Minister for Education Hon Jason Clare), Professor Amit Chakma, Vice-Chancellor of UWA and Dr Nic Taylor, Head of Outreach and Education Committee of the Centre. A/Prof Swaminatha-Iyer introduced some of the exciting initiatives being developed at the Centre, including nutrient analysis of breast milk and single-cell analysis.

The Centre’s engagement with the Murlpirrmarra Connection, a not-for-profit organisation that exists to provide educational opportunities to Aboriginal youth in remote WA regions, was highlighted at the event. As part of their activities, the Centre will work with the Murlpirrmarra Connection on training initiatives to promote science pathways, support on-country education delivery, and support Aboriginal university students studying at UWA.

The involvement of MTPConnect in the formation of the Centre was highlighted by Professor Swaminatha-Iyer with MTPConnect's Director Stakeholder Engagement WA Dr Tracey Wilkinson and Director Stakeholder Engagement NSW, Victoria, and ACT Dr Duncan Macinnis both helping to  provide strategic advice in the application process and facilitating connection to industry partners. Dr Wilkinson and Dr Macinnis will serve on the Centre’s Industry Advisory Board.

The WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub was pleased to sponsor the launch event and Dr Wilkinson spoke about the significance of both the state and federal governments setting sovereign capability in the medical life sciences as a priority and the need for an upskilled workforce, trained in collaboration between academia and industry to deliver innovative medical products of the future.

The Centre’s ultimate vision is to empower the Australian life sciences industry through innovation and skilled workforce development.

The Centre is supported by $12.6 million in funding and in-kind support from MTPConnect and more than 20 university and industry partners, including:

• The University of Western Australia
• The Australian Department of Defence
• Pharmaxis
• DUG Technologies
• Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research
• WA Department of Health
• University of New South Wales
• Illumina
• Brainchip
• Zeiss
• Genomics WA
• Monash University
• CSIRO
• Millennium Science
• Avita
• Ferronova
• Medigrowth
• University of Surrey
• 10x Genomics
• Inventia Life Sciences
• Medela
• Ionis
• MuPharma