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05 July, 2012
Image of a human cell. Credit: Zhuang Lab, Harvard University
Currently it is impossible for our scientists to get a clear picture of microbes such as malaria and HIV using existing microscopes at Burnet. These organisms are simply too small.
But we are hoping through the generosity of our supporters that our Appeal will reach the target of $350,000 and enable us to bring a Super-Resolution Microscope to Burnet.
“The super-resolution microscope will enable scientists like me to understand for the very first time how cancer antigens are processed in dendritic cells and how they stimulate T-cells to recognise and kill cancers,” Professor Geoff Pietersz, Head of Bio-Organic and Medicinal Chemistry.
The high-definition images will significantly improve our scientists understanding of how microbes undermine the immune system and how immune cells recognise and destroy cancer cells.
“It will allow early events in the replication of the influenza virus' genes to be studied directly in infected cultures or tissues and help introduce new antiviral chemotherapies for the control of influenza,” Emeritis Professor Greg Tannock, Head of Influenza Research.
When studied under standard microscopy, microbes such as malaria appear blurry because they are extremely small. Using this new microscope, our scientists will be able to precisely observe how the malaria parasite infects cells and defeat the immune system, potentially accelerating vaccine development and saving millions of lives.
Ours will be only the third super-resolution microscope in Victoria and will be made available to our partners on the Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct (AMREP) here in Melbourne.
“We have the brightest minds here at Burnet so it is a priority that we provide them with state-of-the-art equipment. Please support us in bringing this microscope to Burnet,” Professor Brendan Crabb, Director and CEO, Burnet Institute.
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