Science minister launches new research centres

31 October 2003

Environmentally friendly biotech solutions for commercial and industrial waste and a cure for myopia are key objectives of two new cooperative research centres (CRCs) launched at UNSW this week.

Federal science minister, Peter McGauran, launched both the Environmental Biotechnology CRC (EBCRC) and the Vision CRC. These CRCs will receive combined Federal funding of more than $51 million over the next seven years.

Scientists working in the EBCRC plan to use microscopic bacteria to extract everything of value from waste and garbage, and create products such as biodegradable plastic bags, fuel, glues and fish food.

"I'm confident we can convert waste to wealth within the next five years," said EBCRC executive director, Dr David Garman. "The challenge is to harness the power of the good bacteria involved in such processes. The rest of the technology is already in place."

Chair of Clean Up Australia, Ian Kiernan, is the first chair of the EBCRC. "My vision is a world without waste," Mr Kiernan said. "This will mean significant reorientation of established industries."

EBCRC partners include UNSW, Queensland University, Macquarie University, Murdoch University, the South Australian Research and Development Institute, Meat & Livestock Australia, the Australian Meat Producers Corporation, Orica and Collex. The EBCRC will receive $19.5 million over seven years from the Federal government's CRC program.

EBCRC has grown out of the former CRC for Waste Management and Pollution Control.

The Vision CRC, which will be the largest vision correction research centre in the world, will receive $32 million over the next seven years.

CEO of the Vision CRC, Professor Brien Holden, said the centre's first target would be to develop a cure for myopia, which affects 1.6 billion people around the globe. The incidence of myopia is increasing - by 2020, it is estimated that one in three people worldwide will be myopic.

Professor Holden said he and Vision CRC collaborators are working on the prototypes of contact lenses and spectacles that will impede myopia. A first product could be available within three years.

Vision CRC has 38 Australian and international members, including industry partners CIBA Vision and Essilor, the University of Houston, LV Prasad Institute (India) and Anglia Polytechnic (UK). The Centre builds on the work of its predecessor, the CRC for Eye Research and Technology. Further information is available at Vision CRC.