NSV Annual Report 2013-14 - Neurosciences Victoria

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1 ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 NEUROSCIENCES VICTORIA LTD ACN 094 548 973 Level 5, Melbourne Brain Centre 30 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3010 Australia p +61 3 8344 1802 e [email protected] w www.neurosciencesvic.com.au

2 FINANCIALS NEUROSCIENCES VICTORIA LIMITED ABN 56 094 548 973 STATEMENT OF STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FINANCIAL POSITION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014 AS AT 30 JUNE 2014 2014 2013 2014 2013 $ $ $ $ Revenues 633,277 616,313 Current assets Employee benefits expense -555,325 -641,731 Cash and cash equivalents 462,634 1,074,418 Depreciation, amortisation Trade and other receivables 68,002 143,608 -3,459 -9,775 and impairment losses Other financial assets 2,000,000 1,600,000 Business development expense -61,033 -69,854 Other assets 143,569 111,902 Insurance expense -11,368 -12,712 Total current assets 2,674,205 2,929,928 Professional fees -62,179 -73,617 Travel expense -66,421 -41,118 Non-current assets Occupancy expense -8,484 -31,706 Property, plant and equipment 10,149 10,890 Other expenses -33,900 -27,253 Financial assets 7 7 Scholarships - -25,000 Total non-current assets 10,156 10,897 Write-off of 1,271 -13,976 Total assets 2,684,361 2,940,825 non-recoverable debts Profit before tax -167,621 -330,429 Current liabilities Income tax expense - - Trade and other payables 141,886 210,390 Profit for the year -167,621 -330,429 Employee benefit liabilities 140,179 130,114 Other comprehensive income/ Other liabilities 327,574 355,867 - - (expense) Total current liabilities 609,639 696,371 Total comprehensive -167,621 -330,429 income/(expense) for the year Non-current liabilities Employee benefit liabilities 753 2,864 Total non-current liabilities 753 2,864 Neurosciences Victoria acknowledges the support of the following. Total liabilities 610,392 699,235 Net assets 2,073,969 2,241,590 Equity Reserves 2,248,420 2,248,420 Australian Trade Commission Retained earnings -174,451 -6,830 Total equity 2,073,969 2,241,590 Annual Report 2013-2014 29

3 CONTENTS Chairman and CEO Report 2 Overview 4 Directors 6 Staff 11 Risk and Audit Committee 12 Scientific Council 13 Members 14 Austin Health 15 The Bionics Institute 16 The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health 18 Melbourne Health 21 Monash University 22 Swinburne University of Technology 24 The University of Melbourne 26 Financials 29 Annual Report 2013-2014 1

4 CHAIRMAN AND CEO REPORT Neurosciences Victorias activities in 2013 / 14 continued the Companys strong focus on generating, marketing and managing research programs that capture the world class preclinical and clinical expertise in the Victorian neuroscience community. NSVs expertise in developing collaborative NSVs clinical research partners, including Alfred initiatives across universities, research institutes Health, The Australian Centre for Posttraumatic and hospitals provides the neuroscience community Mental Health, Federation University Australia, with a significant advantage in accessing and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental working with providers of research funding. Our Health, Melbourne Health, Monash University independence allows for marketing of opportunities and The University of Melbourne will work for the neuroscience community as a whole, with leading industry organisations to develop complementing the work of individual research innovative technologies to reduce the societal and organisations. This approach has generated economic impact of brain injury. The opportunities more than $80m in research funding since NSVs to develop partnerships with government and incorporation over fourteen years ago. industry are significant. NSVs focus at present lies in the following `` STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS IN threeprograms: NEUROSCIENCE INDIA `` THE CENTRE FOR BRAIN INJURY NSV is in the second year of a three year program to market Victorian neuroscience to India. This Traumatic brain injury, including concussion, is a activity receives funding from Austrade as part of major cause of disability and serious distress for the Asian Business Engagement Plan, as well as individuals and their families. The issue generates from the Victorian Government. With excellent significant media and political attention across a assistance from both Austrade and Victorian variety of industries. Government personnel in India, the program NSV has catalysed a globally significant, is generating new partnerships in education, multimillion dollar brain injury program in the training and research. Importantly, the strategy of sport, road and defence sectors to initiate a holding regular visits to key stakeholders in India proposed Centre for Brain Injury. The Centre will is demonstrating considerable benefit through bring together world class trauma expertise from the development of relationships across industry a number of Victorian institutes to collaborate sectors. We are confident that, in collaborating with industry end users. with our academic partners, this approach will develop significant long term, mutually beneficial business opportunities with India. 2 Neurosciences Victoria

5 `` MENTAL ILLNESS RESEARCH FUND NSVs operational activities in 2013 / 14 generated NSV continues to add strength to its reputation a loss of $168,000; net assets as of 30June 2014 for delivery on government programs, facilitating were $2,074,000. We are strongly focussed on a opportunities for partnering in future major strategy of a sustainable, long term future for NSV government initiatives. In particular, our and believe that major programs under development collaboration with the Victorian Department of will lead to an improved financial situation over the Health in the provision of management services next year or so. for the Mental Illness Research Fund (MIRF) We look forward to 2014 / 15 being a strong year is progressing well. This four year, $10million for Victorian neuroscience and NSV. We would like initiative provides funding to five multidisciplinary to thank all of the stakeholders in NSV; our Member and crosssector collaborative research projects institutes, our valued colleagues in the Victorian that have the potential to provide tangible neuroscience community and the Victorian and improvements for Victorians with mental illness Australian Governments, for their continued and their carers. The first year of the MIRF support and involvement. Finally, we wish to program has been completed, with all five funded recognise our staff and fellow Directors for another projects showing considerable promise. year of significant effort and achievement. The Company recognises that the present government and industry funding environment for medical research is difficult. We believe NSVs strategies for development of large, crossinstitute Bill Burdett programs that address the needs of both Chairman government and industry are effective and will assist NSVs financial position over the short to medium term. An important factor in this regard is the strong leadership provided by NSVs Scientific Council, Andrew Milner PhD a representative body of neuroscience leaders, in Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director identifying directions and opportunities. Annual Report 2013-2014 3

6 OVERVIEW Neurosciences Victoria was formed in 2001 and is a notforprofit company that facilitates technology transfer and inward investment in collaborative, crossinstitute research programs for the worldclass Victorian neuroscience community. To date NSV has generated in excess of $80 million A number of the world class neurosciencespecific in programs from both industry andgovernment. platforms are listed below. NSV offers a single access point to a range of NEUROIMAGING neuroscience platforms and disease specialisations, The neuroimaging platform has successfully evolved backed by leading neurology and psychiatry into a selfsustained organisation as The Victorian resources. A focus of NSV is to facilitate seamless Biomedical Imaging Capability (VBIC). The VBIC contractual relationships between industry, provides a coordinated network of capabilities government and the Victorian neuroscience and research capacity in biomedical imaging to clusterof universities, medical research institutes support universities and medical research institutes and hospitals. in neuroscience. Capabilities include research NSV works with the following disease specialisations: dedicated 3T MRI, 7T MRI, PET/CT, Animal `` Multiple sclerosis MRI and Animal CT, coordinated across multiple `` Schizophrenia Victorian sites. All facilities provide access and `` Alzheimers disease expertise for all Victorian researchers. `` Epilepsy AUSTRALIAN BRAIN BANK NETWORK `` Neurodevelopmental disease A consortium of brain banks across Australia that `` Depression and bipolar disorder facilitates research into brain and mind disorders, `` Huntingtons disease provides neuropathological diagnostic services and `` Motor neurone disease/ALS supports brain donor programs. Access is provided `` Neurotrauma to human brain tissue which has been carefully `` Parkinsons disease collected, processed and stored and is from a wide `` Stroke range of neurological and psychiatric conditions. The neuroscience community has a range of technology NEUROSCIENCE TRIALS AUSTRALIA platform capabilities. A neuroscience dedicated contract research A feature of the Victorian neuroscience community organisation that provides a single point of contact is the wide range of platform capabilities available for a range of clinical trial services. These include: to researchers in both academia and industry. clinical program development, study design, protocol These are highlighted in the Victorian Platform review, regulatory advice, study feasibility, site Technologies Network website. selection, statistical advice and data management, (http://www.platformtechnologies.org/) medical writing, project management and monitoring. 4 Neurosciences Victoria

7 NEUROPROTEOMICS NEUROINFORMATICS The platform advances studies examining the role Neuroinformatics capabilities have substantially of proteins, metalloproteins and biomarkers in the evolved and improved over the last decade. nervous system. The facility has a unique capability This platform has been integrated into other to directly measure metalloproteins as well as bioinformatics initiatives within the national research general capabilities for proteomics and trace element computing landscape. For example, the DaRIS analysis. The facility is equipped with instruments biomedical imaging data management capability, to probe secondary structure including Circular developed at the University of Melbourne, is now Dichroism (CD), pulsed paramagnetic resonance deployed nationally at nodes of the National Imaging (EPR, Bruker) and equipment for proteomics Facility (and other locations). including mass spectrometry (Agilent QTOF 6550 with chipcube) and large formate 2D gels (9500 HISTOPATHOLOGY, HISTOLOGY AND IMAGING Typhoon imager and associated gel equipment). The Histopathology and Organ Pathology For trace element analysis we have two inductively Service (HOPS) that was established by NSV coupled mass spectrometers (Agilent 7700 and the provides histopathology services to all biomedical new Agilent 8800) and are equipped to conduct laser researchers across Australia for the evaluation ablation studies of trace elements which reveal the of animal models of disease. HOPS has a specific spatial distribution of trace elements such as iron in consulting service in Neuropathology. It specialises central nervous system tissue. in the evaluation and phenotyping of modified, treated or genetically engineered mice at all CLINICAL NEUROBIOLOGY OF PSYCHIATRY developmental stages. The technology and capabilities of this platform have moved into the Monash Alfred Psychiatry research This service provides the specialised equipment and centre (MAPrc). MAPrc coordinates and facilitates all technical expertise for histopathological analysis of whole organs, soft and hard tissues, to help research performed within The Alfreds Department researchers gain a better understanding of their of Psychiatry, aiming to develop new treatments, new animal models phenotype. It is delivered by a team understanding and new services for mental illness. of experienced medical and veterinary pathologists, NEURO RESEARCH SERVICES mouse pathobiologists and imaging experts implementing comprehensive anatomical pathology A preclinical contract research organisation and histopathology evaluation procedures. providing proof of concept and efficacy testing services to the CNS drug discovery market. HOPS has teamed with the Florey Institute of Facilities include preclinical study design and Neuroscience and Mental Health to establish a assessment selection, rodent models of human sophisticated digital slide scanner, the Metasystems diseases, behavioural testing, surgical services, VSlide Scanner, that provides four colour pharmacokinetics, rodent neuropathology, imaging fluorescence and interference contrast images of and analysis. individual slides of brain or other tissues. HOPS evaluation includes professional commentary and CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY secure online access to large format, interrogatable Provides access to state of the art automated planar histological images created utilising state of the art patch clamp platforms, two electrode voltage clamp image acquisition systems using the Mirax Digital and manual patch clamp services for analysis of ion Slide Scanner and the Metasystems VSlide Scanner. channel function for mutation analysis, drug discovery and safety pharmacology. In addition, this facility offers The service is linked to the Australian Phenomics multielectrode array services in brain slices or neuronal Network that brings together mouse production, cultures for assessment of drugs on neuronal network strain storage, pathology capabilities and function, LTP, LTD and other assays. RNAi/genomics services. Annual Report 2013-2014 5

8 DIRECTORS The Board of Directors of Neurosciences Victoria brings together a strong mix of scientific, clinical, public policy and commercialexpertise. MR BILL BURDETT MRS JAN WEST AM BSc (Hons), ASIA B.Comm, FCA GAICD Chairman Deputy Chair Mr Burdett graduated in Mrs West is a nonexecutive geology at the University of Director with experience in Western Australia and worked public sector, community and in oil exploration for nine years before moving to private organisations. A Chartered Accountant Melbourne to start a mining research department with 23years previous experience as a Partner at for the stockbroking firm of A.C. Goode & Co. Deloitte, Jan is a Director of Australian Red Cross He became a partner of the firm and in 1984 and Retail Responsible Entity Ltd. was appointed Executive Director in charge of Her experience offers the Board a depth of Institutional Sales, Research and Corporate Finance. knowledge and skills in audit, corporate governance, Following the sale of A.C. Goode & Co. to the risk and general business acumen. Jan is a past National Australia Bank in 1987, Bill became President of The Institute of Chartered Accountants Founding Chairman and Chief Executive of Burdett, in Australia (ICAA) and currently chairs the Buckeridge & Young, an institutional stockbroker. Institutes Professional Conduct Tribunal. She has His previous appointments include: Director of been a member of the Financial Reporting Council Investment Technology Group, Inc., Director of since 2005 and is also an Independent Member, IRESS Market Technology Ltd, Director of Nossal Audit and Risk Management Committee, Victorian Institute Limited, Council Member of the Nossal Department of Health. Institute for Global Health and Director of the She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative Limited. in 2007 and awarded the Governor Generals Bill is currently a Director of Australian Friends of Centenary Medal in 2001. Jan is a Fellow of the Asha Slums. ICAA and of CPA Australia and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. 6 Neurosciences Victoria

9 DR ANDREW MILNER MS DEBBIE BEADLE BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, FASM BSc (Chem) (Hons), FIPTA Chief Executive Officer and Ms Beadle completed a Bachelor Managing Director of Science with Honours majoring Dr Milner has been the CEO in chemistry from The University and Managing Director of of Melbourne before commencing Neurosciences Victoria since 2006. Andrew her training as a patent attorney in 1988. obtained his BSc (Hons) and MSc degrees at the She registered as a patent attorney in 1993 and University of Melbourne and his PhD at the John became a Principal of Griffith Hack in 2003. Debbie Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian has primarily practised as a patent attorney in the National University. fields of chemistry and pharmaceuticals. Andrew is a Member of the Advisory Board of the From 20092011, Debbie had the role of National Melbourne Neuroscience Institute at the University Practice Group Leader of the Life Sciences and of Melbourne and the Chair of the Australian Chemical Group and was elected to the Board of Research Infrastructure Network Advisory Group. Griffith Hack in November 2011. He is a Fellow of the Australian Society for Debbie is a Fellow of the Institute of Patent and Microbiology and has worked in animal health Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia and a member and agriculture as Head of Molecular Biology of Ausbiotech, BioMelbourne Network, Royal at the Victorian Institute of Animal Science and Australian Chemical Society, Intellectual Property subsequently as Operations Manager at Daratech Society of Australia and New Zealand, Asian Patent Pty Ltd. In the medical arena, he has worked as Attorneys Association, Association Internationale Pricing Manager for Zeneca and AstraZeneca pour la Protection de la Proprit Intellectuelle and in Australia, as Director of Development and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Commercialisation for Kendle (Australia) and as Managing Director of Mimotopes Pty Ltd. Annual Report 2013-2014 7

10 PROFESSOR PROFESSOR STEPHEN DAVIS AM GEOFFREYDONNAN AO MD, FRCP, Edin FRACP MBBS, MD, FRACP, FRCP Professor Davis is the inaugural Professor Donnan is the Director Professor of Translational of the Florey Institute of Neuroscience at the University Neuroscience and Mental Health. of Melbourne. He is based at the Royal Melbourne He is Professor of Neurology at the University of Hospital (RMH) where he is the Director of Melbourne and Head of the Florey Department Neurology and the Director of the Melbourne Brain of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University Centre at the RMH. ofMelbourne. He is the immediate past President of the Australian His research interest is in clinical stroke management and New Zealand Association of Neurologists and a and he was cofounder of the Australasian Stroke past President of the Stroke Society of Australasia. Trials Network and Neuroscience Trials Australia. He He was the first CoChair of the Australasian is past President of the World Stroke Organisation Stroke Trials network and has extensive experience and received the American Stroke Association in stroke trials. He is the President of the World William Feinberg Award for excellence in clinical Stroke Organisation, CoChair of the World Stroke stroke research in 2007. In 2012 he was appointed an Academy and is the CoChair of Neuroscience Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished Trials Australia. He has been a Trustee of the RMH service to neurology and research contributions. He Neuroscience Foundation since its formation in is the recipient of a number of international awards 1992. including the World Stroke Organisation Leadership Award (2012), Karolinska Institute Award (2012) and He was appointed a Member of the Order of Wepfer Award of the European Stroke Congress for Australia in 2013. He received the M.J.Eadie excellence in stroke research (2014). Award in 2004 by the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists for career PROFESSOR achievements in neuroscience research and the PAULFITZGERALD Victorian Health Ministers Award for outstanding MBBS, MPM, PhD, FRANZCP individual achievement in the 2008 Victorian Public Professor Fitzgerald is Professor Healthcare awards. He is the 2011 recipient of both of Psychiatry, Deputy Director the American Stroke Associations William Feinberg and Consultant Psychiatrist at Award and the Bethlehem Griffiths Research the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Foundation Medal. research centre, a joint research centre of Monash He is the joint recipient of a National Health University and the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. He and Medical Research Council program grant in is also the Director of the TMS program and research stroke. He is a Consulting Editor for Stroke and has unit at The Victoria Clinic, Prahran and a Member of the Scientific Advisory Board ofBionomics. coauthored three books, numerous book chapters and over 300 peerreviewed papers. Paul is a psychiatrist, has a Masters of Psychological Medicine and a research PhD. He runs a substantive His major research interests involve clinical trials research program utilising brain stimulation and in stroke and the use of neuroimaging, particularly neuroimaging techniques including transcranial multimodal MRI, in the selection of acute stroke magnetic stimulation, functional and structural treatments. He is the CoPrincipal Investigator MRI, EEG and near infrared spectroscopy. The with Professor Donnan of the EXTEND trial, a program has focused on the conduct of investigative stroke trial aimed at extending the time window for studies of brain function / dysfunction, as well as the thrombolysis using MRI in treatment selection. conduct of a variety of novel clinical trials in mood, psychotic and developmental disorders. 8 Neurosciences Victoria

11 PROFESSOR MR BRUCE KEAN AM GRAEMEJACKSON Dip ChemE, FIEAus, FTS, FAICD, FRSA BSc (Hons), MD, FRACP Mr Kean was educated in Professor Jackson is Senior Melbourne, studying chemical Deputy Director of the Florey engineering and economics. He Institute of Neuroscience and has served on the boards of many Mental Health. public companies, including as Managing Director of Boral Ltd (19871994) and as a Director of He is a Professorial Fellow of the Florey Department AMP(19892000). of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne. In community affairs, Bruce is a Director of the APEC Study Centre Advisory Board of the His primary research interest is the application of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques to the Governor of the Florey Institute of Neuroscience understanding of epilepsy and brain function. His and Mental Health. work is recognised for advancing the diagnosis and treatment of patients with epilepsy. Graeme is a He was Chair of the Committee for Economic neurologist at the Austin Hospital. Development of Australia (19942002), Chair of The Sir David Martin Foundation (19941998), In 2008 he was awarded the National Health and Chair of The Mental Health Research Institute Medical Research Council Excellence Award. of Victoria (20012008) and Chairman of the PROFESSOR ATSE Clunies Ross Foundation. He was a Member of the Prime Ministers Economic and Planning TREVORKILPATRICK MBBS, PhD, FRACP Advisory Committee (19921994) and Chair of the Commonwealth Governments Committee Professor Kilpatrick is a Professor of Inquiry into the Standards and Conformance of Neurology and Director of Infrastructure of Australia (19941995). In 1994 he the Melbourne Neuroscience was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, Institute at The University of Melbourne. He is the in 2001 the Governor Generals Centenary Medal leader of the MS Division at the Florey Institute and in 2013 the inaugural ATSE Medal. of Neuroscience and Mental Health and is a neurologist and Head of the MS Unit at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Trevor is a clinician scientist whose basic research focuses on the neurobiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), in particular oligodendrocytic biology and regenerative medicine. Trevor has initiated a number of productive clinical research projects and established multicentre collaborations to study the genetics and epidemiology of MS and is developing translational platforms for therapeutics that target neurodegenerative diseases. Annual Report 2013-2014 9

12 PROFESSOR PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHERROWE IAN SMITH FRACP, MD PhD Professor Rowe is the Director Professor Smith is ViceProvost of the Department of Nuclear (Research & Research Medicine and Centre for PET and Infrastructure) at Monash a consultant neurologist to the Memory Disorders University and has responsibility for the oversight Clinicat the Austin Hospital,Melbourne. and management of the Universitys research alliances and research infrastructure as well He has published extensively on SPECT in epilepsy as developing and implementing strategies to and betaamyloid imaging in Alzheimers disease. He meet future University infrastructure needs. Ian applies stateoftheart neuroimaging technology completed his first degree in Newcastle upon Tyne, to develop and confirm new diagnostic tests and England and moved to Australia in 1984 to complete biomarkers. his PhD at Prince Henrys Institute, Melbourne. Chris is a Professorial Fellow, The University of In 1991 he moved to the Baker Heart Research Melbourne and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience Institute and was Associate Director until his move and Mental Health. He is the Neuroimaging Stream to Monash University in 2004. Leader of the Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Ian is also a Professorial Fellow in the Department Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing (AIBL) and of of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at Monash the CRC for Mental Health and the former Chair, University where he runs his research group. Neuroimaging Professional Interest Area, US He is an accomplished medical researcher and is Alzheimers Association. recognised as a leader in his field. His research In 2011 he received the KuhlLassen Award, applies proteomics technologies to study US Society of Nuclear Medicine, for his work in the proteases involved in the generation and developing a test for the treatment of epilepsy metabolism of peptide regulators involved in both and the diagnosis of Alzheimers disease. He is brain and cardiovascular function. This research the first Australian researcher to receive a major has resulted in over 230 publications and many international award from this Society. patents. He receives regular invitations to speak at international meetings, many as a plenary speaker. His research has had a direct impact on human health and has led to changes in clinical practice. Ian is a cofounder of a proteomicsbased, publicly listed, biotechnology company and he continues to collaborate and consult widely with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. Ian serves on six international editorial boards and over the years has held officebearing positions in a number of national and international societies and had an active involvement in the organisation of numerous national and international scientific meetings. He has held and continues to hold, a variety of senior government and nongovernment advisory board / committee memberships. 10 Neurosciences Victoria

13 PROFESSOR ROB SHEPHERD BSc, DipEd, PhD Professor Rob Shepherd is the STAFF Director of The Bionics Institute and the Head of the Medical Bionics Department at The University ofMelbourne. ANDREW MILNER PhD Rob has an international reputation as an expert in Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director the field of neural prostheses. He led the preclinical CLARE FAUX PhD teams that have demonstrated the safety and Office Manager and Researcher efficacy of Cochlears bionic ear in both adults and children and more recently his team developed a IRWIN SAUNDERS prototype bionic eye as part of an Australiawide Chief Financial Officer collaboration Bionic Vision Australia to develop a commercial bionic eye. JACKIE THOMPSON Accounts In his administrative role, Rob has overseen the expansion of the Bionic Ear Institute into the Bionics MARION THOMPSON Institute and has widened the research portfolio to Company Secretary include cochlear implants, retinal prostheses and the development of a neurobionic platform technology designed to alleviate a range of intractable and debilitating central nervous system disorders (e.g., epilepsy, Parkinsons disease and pain management) via central nervous system based neural prostheses. RETIRED Professor John Furness and Professor Colin Masters retired as Directors of Neurosciences Victoria on 19November 2013. Annual Report 2013-2014 11

14 RISK AND AUDIT COMMITTEE The Risk and Audit Committee is a Committee The Committee also oversees the activities of the of the NSV Board which oversees the audit and Remuneration Committee, which has carriage of the risk functions of the Company. The Committee remuneration framework and level for the CEO as is comprised of the Chair of the Board and well as the CEOs performance plan. nonexecutive Independent Directors. MEMBERSHIP The primary objective of the Committee is to assist the Mrs Jan West AM Chair Board in fulfilling its responsibilities by: `` Overseeing the internal control functions of the Mr Bill Burdett Company and its corporate entities. Ms Debbie Beadle `` Reviewing the relationship of those functions to Mr Bruce Kean AM external audit. `` Reviewing the financial statements and reports. `` Identifying the areas of risk affecting the Company and its corporate entities. `` Monitoring the Companys development, implementation and audit of policies and practices in relation to risk. `` Monitoring compliance with law. `` Assisting the Company to identify and manage risks and opportunities in the commercialisation of intellectual property. `` Reviewing proposals for resource allocation and making recommendations to the Board. 12 Neurosciences Victoria

15 SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL The Scientific Council is a committee of the These strategic aims will be achieved by the following NSV Board, established to generate initiatives operational activities: and facilitate collaboration and the sharing of `` Maintain an awareness of issues relevant to knowledge, skills and resources across a widely neuroscience across the sector, locally, interstate representative neuroscience community. and internationally. The Council is chaired by Professor Graeme Jackson `` Identify and coordinate new program and is comprised of representatives from each of development where there is a major technology NSVs Members, as well as scientific Directors of the gap in Victoria; identify world class staffing for NSV Board. these initiatives. `` Support important capability areas where there The strategic aims of the Council are: is opportunity. `` To focus the Council to that of a strategic and `` Form working groups as required of Members operational interaction between Members, or nonMembers to facilitate liaison and directed towards development of Melbourne as a development of initiatives. global centre for neuroscience. `` To identify and fast track major initiatives and maintain strong communication with government, industry and philanthropy where appropriate. `` To provide a forum for senior management across the Melbourne neuroscience cluster to identify and manage priorities and strategies for the Victorian neuroscience community. Annual Report 2013-2014 13

16 MEMBERS Neurosciences Victoria is proud to be associated with its Members leaders in neuroscience research. `` Austin Health `` The Bionics Institute `` The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health `` Melbourne Health `` Monash University `` Swinburne University of Technology `` The University of Melbourne 14 Neurosciences Victoria

17 AUSTIN HEALTH Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health Professor Christopher Rowe, the leader of services, health professional education and research the neuroscience PET research team and the in the northeast of Melbourne and is world renowned Director of Nuclear Medicine and the Centre for its research and specialist work in neurology, for PET was awarded the KuhlLassen Award cancer, liver transplantation, spinal cord injuries, for outstanding contribution to brain imaging by endocrinology, mental health and rehabilitation. the US Society of Nuclear Medicine in 2011. His Eight independent research institutions are based group publishes 25 papers per year and receives at Austin Health, where leading research on over $2.5 million annually in research funds. The cancer, diabetes, respiratory disease, liver disease, Centre for PET provides direction, expertise and heart disease, stroke, epilepsy and psychiatry is radiopharmaceuticals for the new PET research conducted. In 2011, the Melbourne Brain Centre facility at the Melbourne Brain Centre in Parkville. opened at the Austin Hospital at Heidelberg, housing some of Australias top researchers in VISION neurosciences and mental health. Austin Health will be renowned for excellence and outstanding leadership in healthcare, research and In the area of neuroscience, Austin Health is a education. leader in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy, stroke and dementia and has subspecialist clinics MISSION for these and other neurological disorders including Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health Parkinsons disease and multiple sclerosis. services and health professional education and The Austin Health Centre for PET is a world research in the northeast of Melbourne. leader in the development of scans for earlier and more accurate detection of Alzheimers disease, VALUES Parkinsons disease and other neurodegenerative Our values guide our behaviour. conditions. It is the Australian imaging lead site `` Integrity we exercise honesty, candour and for national and international multicentre studies sincerity. such as the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and `` Accountability we are transparent, responsible Lifestyle Study of Ageing (AIBL), the Dominantly and answerable. Inherited Alzheimers Network (DIAN) and the `` Respect we treat others with dignity, CRC for Mental Health. The neuroscience research consideration, equality and value. group within the Centre for PET has extensive `` Excellence we continually strive for excellence. collaborations with both academic sites and major pharmaceutical companies worldwide. www.austin.org.au Annual Report 2013-2014 15

18 THE BIONICS INSTITUTE The Bionics Institute is an independent, NEUROBIONICS notforprofit research organisation working in the Implantable devices are being developed to detect, field of medical bionics. predict and suppress abnormal neural activity in the brain or elsewhere in the body. Such devices VISION incorporate many of the successful elements of the To lead the world in the development of innovative cochlear implant and insights obtained from the bionic health solutions through research. ongoing development and testing of the prototype bionic eye. Our current research is focused on: MISSION `` The development of an advanced deep brain `` Research, innovate and deliver bionic stimulation (DBS) system to treat movement technologies that improve human health. disorders such as Parkinsons disease. `` Undertake high quality research that spans the `` The development of a safe and effective biological, physical, engineering and medical diagnostic device for epilepsy and blackouts. sciences to achieve clinically relevant outcomes `` Optimising outcomes in movement disorder and train and inspire the next generation of patients with existing DBS devices. researchers. `` Ensure our knowledge, technologies and skills The overall goal of our neurobionics research is provide an effective pathway from world class to develop a sophisticated and flexible platform research to advancing the Australian medical technology that can be tailored to treat a wide bionics manufacturing industry. range of neurological disorders that have not responded to conventional treatments, including Using a multidisciplinary approach, the Institutes certain severe psychiatric conditions (e.g. obsessive research aims to deliver new solutions to major compulsive disorder). health problems and builds on years of research experience and technological expertise in cochlear BIONIC VISION implants. The Institute brings together researchers Our research aims to develop safe and effective from a diverse range of disciplines and collaborates retinal prostheses for blind patients. In 2012 and with eminent clinicians from Melbournes major as part of the Bionic Vision Australia consortium, hospitals to ensure that its work and bionic three patients with retinitis pigmentosa were technologies result in clinical outcomes. implanted with Australias first prototype bionic eye. The Institute is focused on providing bionic The Institute used its engineering expertise and solutions for otherwise untreatable or experience in safety and biocompatibility studies drugresistant conditions of the nervous system. to establish safe surgical procedures and effective Our three research programs Neurobionics, electrical stimulation strategies for this prototype Bionic Vision and Bionic Hearing encompass device. Ongoing research is evaluating the visual the improvement and development of devices to perceptions evoked by the device and is testing address hearing loss, severe vision impairment and the safety and effectiveness of the next generation a range of intractable central nervous system and wideview device (for navigation) and a highacuity psychiatric disorders. device (for more detailed visual images). We are also investigating novel stimulation methods to create virtual electrodes in retinal prostheses. 16 Neurosciences Victoria

19 THE BIONICS INSTITUTE BIONIC HEARING Our research aims to develop new technologies and strategies that will improve the performance of cochlear implants and other hearing devices. Specific projects include: `` Designing new sound processing strategies to enhance the perception of music and the perception of speech in noisy environments. `` The development of an automatic system to program cochlear implants, particularly important for those too young to provide feedback as to a sounds volume. `` The development of noninvasive and objective measures of hearing to improve detection and diagnosis of hearing problems, improve the fitting of cochlear implants and hearing aids and understand the variability of outcomes in users of these devices. `` The development of techniques to introduce therapeutic drugs into the inner ear to support or halt the degeneration of the hearing nerve following deafness. `` Investigation of neuroplasticity and how the brain responds to longterm electrical stimulation. www.bionicsinstitute.org Annual Report 2013-2014 17

20 THE FLOREY INSTITUTE OF NEUROSCIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH The Mission of the Florey Institute of Neuroscience RESEARCH DIVISIONS and Mental Health is to improve lives through brain Multiple Sclerosis research. The Institute is one of the worlds top Professor Trevor Kilpatrick four brain research centres. Led by the Director, Professor Geoffrey Donnan AO, some 600 people Spanning the Florey, the University of Melbourne are committed to addressing the causes of brain and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Division disease affecting up to one in five Australians. adopts a multifaceted approach to researching multiple sclerosis. The research recognises the The Florey has strong partnerships with Austin need to understand the genetic determinants, Health, the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the environmental precipitants and molecular drivers of University of Melbourne conducting research that the disease if we are to prevent or reduce damage. underpins the future of brain health. Our imaging The Division has developed strong collaborations facilities offer unparalleled access to the workings with colleagues throughout Australia in order to of the brain and internationally, staff are recognised assemble large cohorts of patients to interrogate for maximising the benefits of our stateoftheart the genetics and epidemiology of the disease and to magnetic resonance equipment. access biological samples to adopt a fully integrated translational approach. RESEARCH FOCUS Groundbreaking work continues at the Florey with Stroke research undertaken in a number of laboratory and Associate Professor David Howells and clinical areas. Better treatments are sought for: AssociateProfessor JulieBernhard `` Alzheimers disease The Division has five main research teams: Stroke `` Depression Preclinical Science, the AVERT Early Intervention `` Epilepsy Research Program, the Neurorehabilitation and Recovery Laboratory, Epidemiology and Public `` Parkinsons disease Health and Clinical Trials. Investigations into `` Huntingtons disease neuroprotective and neuroregenerative drugs, `` Bipolar disorder advancing stroke care and predicting further `` Stroke incidence of stroke through biomarkers and imaging `` Motor neurone disease are part of this Divisions work. `` Multiple sclerosis Neurodegeneration `` Schizophrenia Professor Phil Beart `` Addiction This Division focuses on how neurones live, die `` Autism and can be rescued to improve brain function in `` Cardiovascular disease Parkinsons and Motor neurone diseases. The Division has five research areas; Parkinsons disease, `` Pain Motor neurone disease, Neuropharmacology, Steroid `` Traumatic brain and spinal cord injury Neurobiology and Stem Cell Therapies. 18 Neurosciences Victoria

21 THE FLOREY INSTITUTE OF NEUROSCIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH Mental Health Neuropeptides Professor Colin Masters Associate Professor Ross Bathgate This Division undertakes basic scientific, clinical This Division conducts multidisciplinary studies on and public health research. This includes not only the relaxin family of peptides / hormones and their work in laboratories but also working with the receptors. The Division focuses on determining the community to run trials that help gather information role of these peptides and the receptors they target about the illnesses studied. The work continues to in a wide range of physiological and disease states. enrich our understanding of mental illness, including depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and Behavioural Neuroscience neurodegenerative illness, including Alzheimers Professor Andrew Lawrence and Dr Amy Brodtmann disease and Parkinsons disease. The Division This Division focuses on cognitive disorders of the includes the Australian Imaging, Biomarker and brain in humans and the use and development of Lifestyle (AIBL) Study of Ageing. The aim of animal models. The latter reflects aspects of human AIBL is to discover which biomarkers, cognitive disorders such as addiction, anxiety, depression, characteristics and health and lifestyle factors schizophrenia, autism and neurodegenerative determine subsequent development of symptomatic conditions such as Huntingtons disease. Alzheimers disease. Brain Development and Regeneration Systems Neurophysiology Professor SeongSeng Tan Professor Robin McAllen and Research is conducted to understand how new ProfessorRichardMacdonell brain cells are generated, become connected and This research area focuses on brain function in survive during stress, which is pivotal to preventing health and disease. One particular focus is on how and treating brain disorders. The underlying drivers the brain controls basic bodily functions such as of brain cell assembly are undoubtedly genetic, but blood pressure, body temperature, body fluids the outcomes are also shaped by environmental and breathing. A second focus is on the ways influences. Such knowledge will provide new that disease processes change the excitability understanding of the causes of mental illnesses such of neurons. A third focus is on the heart and its as autism, schizophrenia and epilepsy. complex interactions with the nervous system in health and disease. Epilepsy Professor Graeme Jackson and Imaging AssociateProfessorSteven Petrou Professor Alan Connelly and Professor Graeme Jackson At the Floreys Austin campus, researchers have The Division studies many disease states, particularly been undertaking high impact research using MRI epilepsy. Other disorders studied include multiple for more than fifteen years to understand the sclerosis, stroke, tumours, dementia and a range structural and functional basis of human epilepsy. of mental health disorders such as schizophrenia. At the Floreys Parkville campus, research has The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technical revealed many of the fundamental neurobiological Development Program is worldleading in the highly mechanisms by which genetic abnormalities give rise active field of diffusion MRI. to epilepsy. Annual Report 2013-2014 19

22 THE FLOREY INSTITUTE OF NEUROSCIENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH The Florey hosts the following important medical The Florey is closely involved in the operations of the infrastructure services. following neuroscience platforms. Neuroscience Trials Australia `` Human and animal MRI Led by Dr Tina Soulis, Neuroscience Trials Australia `` Positron Emission Tomography Computed is an Australianbased, notforprofit clinical trials Tomography (PETCT) management service specialising in neuroscience. `` Advanced microscopy Psychotropic Drug Advisory Service `` Core animal services Led by Associate Professor Suresh Sundram, `` Behavioural services pharmacist Christine Culhane of the Psychotropic `` Histology services Drug Advisory Service provides an independent `` Fluorescenceactivated cell sorting facility central advisory and contact service with regard `` Statistics and decision analysis to the interaction between medicines used to treat mental illnesses and other drugs that affect the way www.florey.edu.au we think, feel and behave. Australian Brain Bank Network Led by Professor Catriona McLean, the Network collects, processes and stores postmortem human brains and related samples from individuals who have had neurological diseases (i.e. Alzheimers disease, Motor neurone disease and Parkinsons disease), psychiatric disorders (i.e. bipolar mood disorder, depression and schizophrenia) as well as normal control cases. 20 Neurosciences Victoria

23 MELBOURNE HEALTH Melbourne Health is one of Australias leading public The Melbourne Health Strategic Plan 20102015 healthcare providers whose mission is simple to is part of a broader strategic planning and provide worldclass healthcare for our community performance framework, designed to enable the by embracing discovery and learning, building organisation to translate longterm strategic goals collaborative relationships and engaging patients in into daytoday operations. The five strategic goals their care. in the Plan reflect both the organisations response to the changing health care environment and our Services are delivered through The Royal key challenges. Melbourne Hospital, one of Australias preeminent hospitals, NorthWestern Mental Health, the STRATEGIC GOALS largest mental health provider in Victoria and the `` Develop our workforce internationally renowned Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory. `` Improve the quality and safety of our services `` Develop and encourage strategic relationships Melbourne Health serves a population base of more `` Foster a culture of research and innovation than one million Melburnians as well as regional and rural Victorians and interstate patients. Today `` Build a sustainable organisation we are a partner in the internationally renowned Parkville Precinct with vibrant research programs MELBOURNE HEALTH COMPRISES turning medical research into excellent clinical `` The Royal Melbourne Hospital City Campus outcomes for the public. and Royal Park Campus `` NorthWestern Mental Health VISION `` Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Passion for Caring Achieving the Extraordinary Laboratory MISSION The Royal Melbourne Hospital is one of two adult To provide worldclass health care for our trauma centres in Victoria and is home to one of community. We will embrace discovery and learning, the three nodes of the Melbourne Brain Centre, build collaborative relationships and engage our a stateoftheart neurosciences facility offering patients in their care. new hope for Australians suffering from acute brain episodes such as stroke and degenerative brain VALUES disorders. `` Respect for the dignity, beliefs and abilities of www.mh.org.au every individual `` Caring and compassion `` Unity as a team and in embracing our communities `` Integrity by being open, honest and fair `` Discovery through passion for innovation Annual Report 2013-2014 21

24 MONASH UNIVERSITY Monash University is strong and very active in Major Collaborating Research Groups and neuroscience research and takes a multidisciplinary themesinclude: approach, involving the faculties of Medicine, `` Monash Biomedical Imaging (MBI) Facility Nursing and Health Sciences, Pharmacy (MIPS), Professor Gary Egan Engineering, Science, Art and Design, as well as `` Ritchie Centre at the Monash Institute for the major Monash affiliated teaching hospitals, all Medical Research Professor Graham Jenkin supporting wide ranging programs of research. `` Stroke and vascular disease Professor Monash neuroscientists conduct leading edge research ChrisSobey and clinical investigation in key areas of neuroscience `` Brain development and vision Dr James Bourne and mental health. These include: `` Molecular neurotrauma and haemostasis `` Neuroimaging laboratory (Monash University, Alfred Hospital campus) Professor Rob Medcalf `` Neuroinflammation `` Traumatic brain injury (Alfred Hospital) `` Developmental neuroscience Professor Russell Gruen `` Developmental brain injury `` Biomarkers for traumatic brain injury and `` Regenerative medicine Recovery (Monash) Professor Ramesh Rajan `` Ageing and neurodegeneration `` Neuroscience research in ocular immunology `` Brain plasticity and repair Professor Paul McMenamin `` Huntingtons disease `` The Monash Alfred Psychiatry research centre (MAPrc) Professor Paul Fitzgerald `` Cognition `` Higher order processing of vocalisations `` Control of movement and emotions in the auditory areas of the cortex `` Anxiety disorders ProfessorRameshRajan `` Alzheimers disease `` Stroke DIRECT TO BRAIN BIONIC EYE MONASH BIONIC VISION GROUP `` Sensory physiology Professor Jeffrey Rosenfeld AM, OBE is a Principal `` Schizophrenia Investigator in the Monash Bionic Vision Group that `` Depression aims to develop a bionic vision direct to brain implant `` Autism (The Gennaris). This is a multitiled microelectrode `` Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder wireless device implanted in the primary visual `` Traumatic brain injury cortex of adults with acquired blindness. The tiles are connected to a digital camera via an `` Bipolar affective disorder advanced vision processor minicomputer. This is `` Intellectual disability a key example of bench to bedside translational `` Metabolic neuroscience research and has taken place in the last five years. It is an interdisciplinary research program that includes Monash University departments of Electrical Engineering (Professor Arthur Lowery), Physiology (Professors Marcello Rosa and Ramesh Rajan), Surgery and Design. The Alfred Hospital (Neurosurgery and Ophthalmology) is the clinical site for the first in human trial planned for 2015. 22 Neurosciences Victoria

25 MONASH UNIVERSITY Australian industry partners have been involved MEDICINE, NURSING AND HEALTH SCIENCES with the research program from the outset and The Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health are manufacturing the device (MiniFab and Gray Sciences offers outstanding training through Innovation). This research program was awarded courses that include Medicine, Psychiatry, $8.2m in 2009 and a further $1.9m in 2013 by the Behavioural Neuroscience, Biomedical Science, Australian Research Council and is at the forefront of Psychology, Radiography and Medical Imaging. The the worlds bionic vision research. Faculty has strong links with research institutes Research at the University is underpinned by a series of such as the Baker / IDI Research Institute, the core technology platforms, including: Prince Henrys Institute for Medical Research, the Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research `` Structural biology / Cryo EM / highthroughput and Public Health, as well as with our major teaching protein production hospitals, principally Monash Medical Centre, The `` Genomics, bioinformatics and proteomics Alfred Hospital and Box Hill Hospital. In total, the `` Optical imaging Faculty operates in 125 practices and 68 hospitals, `` Monoclonal antibody production (MATF) providing outstanding facilities and resources for `` Mouse phenomics / transgenics clinical teaching. `` Biomedical imaging and image processing `` Drug design and development MONASH AT A GLANCE `` Biostatistics, datamanagement and biobanking `` Monash is Australias most internationalised `` Engineering university. `` Material sciences `` Monash has more than 62,000 students from `` Nanofabrication over 100 countries. `` Drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, drug `` Monash is a member of the prestigious Group candidate optimisation of Eight (Go8) universities, recognised for excellence in teaching, learning, research and `` Clinical trials graduate outcomes. The University has a strong international reputation in `` The Monash / Clayton cluster is home to CSIRO, medical research, including: the Australian Synchrotron, Monash Medical `` Regenerative medicine, stem cells and Centre, Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication developmental biology (MCN) and the Australian Regenerative Medicine `` Cardiovascular and thrombosis Institute (ARMI). `` Cancer `` Monash has eight campuses: six in Australia, one `` Structural biology and drug development in Malaysia, one in South Africa and a centre in `` Public health and epidemiology Prato, Italy. `` Infection and immunity `` Monash has formed strong strategic partnerships in the UK (Warwick and Newcastle Universities), `` Inflammation, allergy and autoimmunity China (South East University, Suzhou) and India `` Health science and global health (Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai). `` Rural health `` Indigenous health www.med.monash.edu.au `` Mental health and cognitive neurosciences `` Medical engineering Annual Report 2013-2014 23

26 SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Swinburne University of Technology is committed By increasing our understanding of human brain to quality research with realworld applications. We and psychological processes we aim to inform the deliver innovative research solutions to industry development and evaluation of applications that problems and our worldclass research reputation improve the wellbeing of individuals with specific is growing fast. We have a vibrant academic conditions and in specific contexts. We have community and we invest strategically in advanced particular interests in the study of compromised facilities. We draw on our internationally recognised mental and cognitive health. expertise and our outstanding infrastructure BPsyC brings together different disciplines with when collaborating with industry to produce common interests in biopsychosocial factors quality solutions; solutions that often result in the associated with the healthy and dysfunctional commercialisation of new ideas or products. human mind and brain. These include psychologists, Swinburne gives its Masters by research and PhD psychophysiologists, physicists, neuroscientists and candidates the chance to be exposed to big ideas medical researchers. and to learn what it takes to find solutions that Specific areas of interest include: advance our society. We offer our research students the opportunity to participate in worldchanging `` Brain functions, structures, connectivity and projects and we back them with the right levels of dynamics funding. Swinburne has a selective and focused `` Cellular neuroscience approach to the highest quality research. This `` Cognitive neurosciences and cognitive approach has been proven to have merit with neuropsychology Swinburne now listed as one of the top 400 `` Social and affective neurosciences research universities in the world, according to the `` Clinical disorders and their treatment, including prestigious Academic Ranking of World Universities. ebased interventions `` Clinical and forensic psychology BRAIN AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES `` Normal and abnormal ageing and infant RESEARCH CENTRE development The principal aim of the Brain and Psychological `` The neuroscientific study of decisionmaking Sciences Research Centre (BPsyC) is to conduct high quality research in psychological sciences Our stateoftheart equipment includes: and human neuroscience in order to improve `` Magnetic resonance imaging understanding of the human condition across `` Magnetoencephalography the lifespan and contribute to the wellbeing of `` Electroencephalography individuals and communities. BPsyC encompasses `` Transcranial magnetic stimulation basic research from cellular and genetic science all `` A radiofrequency laboratory the way through to brain and behavioural sciences. `` A computerassisted interview facility `` A national internetbased psychological assessment and treatment centre (National eTherapy Centre) 24 Neurosciences Victoria

27 SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY In addition, a clinical trials facility focuses on BPsyC RESEARCH STAFF evaluating the effects of interventions on cognition, `` Dr Joseph Ciorciari Acting Director mental health, wellbeing and specific functions. Our `` Professor Susan Rossell Deputy Director, research staff is actively involved in teaching and Operations we have links to clinical services, industry and the `` Professor Greg Murray Deputy Director, community. Our partnerships and collaborations Administrative promote innovative solutions to scientific and `` Dr Jo Abbott community concerns. BPsyC strives to foster local `` Dr Claire Ahern and international research collaboration with government, industry and other academic institutions `` Professor Glen Bates and has been successful in attracting nationally `` Dr Jennifer Beaudry competitive grants, national and international `` Dr Sunil Bhar industry contracts and government tenders. `` Dr Steve Bowe Dr Joseph Ciorciari is the Acting Director of the `` Dr Jay Brinker BPsyC. Dr Ciorciari is a cognitive neuroscientist `` Associate Professor Roger Cook with many years of collaborative research `` Dr Christine Critchley experience in the study of normal and abnormal `` Dr Matthew Hughes brain function, collaborating with researchers `` Dr Jordy Kaufman both nationally and internationally. Previously, as `` Associate Professor Ann Knowles the Deputy Head of the Psychological Sciences and Statistics Department, he convened and `` Professor Michael Kyrios led undergraduate programs associated with `` Professor David Liley psychology and psychophysiology. More recently he `` Dr Michelle Lim designed and implemented a unique neuroscience `` Dr Clare McMahon undergraduate program. Dr Ciorciari is supported `` Associate Professor Denny Meyer by the BPsyC Deputy Directors, Professor Susan `` Professor Sue Moore Rossell and Professor Greg Murray, both of `` Dr Maja Nedeljkovic whom have clinical backgrounds and international reputations in their respective fields. `` Dr Richard Nibbs `` Dr Julian Oldmeadow `` Dr Conrad Perry `` Dr Jeffrey Pfeifer `` Dr Diane Sivasubramaniam `` Dr Neil Thomas `` Dr Ben Williams `` Professor Andrew Wood `` Dr Will Woods www.swinburne.edu.au/lss/bpsyc Annual Report 2013-2014 25

28 THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE The University of Melbourne has an exceptional The MNI continues to support and promote four international profile in neurosciencerelated interdisciplinary research themes: the Music, Mind research and the Melbourne Neuroscience Institute and Wellbeing Initiative, the Centre for Neural (MNI) continues to champion those endeavours. Engineering, the Melbourne Brain Centre Imaging The Melbourne Neuroscience Institute is built on Unit and Stem Cells Australia. A recent development the energy and drive of University researchers has seen the MNI now able to act as a conduit for and that drive is evident in the many successes and philanthropic giving. achievements of the Institute. There have been a number of significant achievements Advances in neuroscience and the merging of for neurosciences at the University over the past twelve disciplines encompass the translational potential of months. our brain diseaseoriented research and projects `` Collaborative research on mental health issues, in fields as broad as Medicine, Mental Health, from schizophrenia to disaster mental health, will Engineering, Optometry and Vision Sciences, be the focus of a new University of Melbourne Ophthalmology, Law, Economics and Social Sciences. and Peking University centre. The University The MNI has been successful in attracting a broad of MelbournePeking University Centre for base of internal and external stakeholders, with over Psychiatric Research and Training will bring 400 affiliates. Engagement activities during 2013 together world experts from both institutions to included the MNI public seminar series, the annual study all aspects of mental health, from biological Melbourne Brain Symposium, the Festival of Ideas to epidemiological and psychosocial issues. It Brains and Mind for a Healthy Society Day, workshops will also provide cosupervision of PhD students on traumatic brain injury and PET / CT applications, and support postdoctoral exchanges. the Brain Bee challenge, Advanced Neuroscience `` The University has entered an agreement with Workshops, work experience for secondary school US startup company Procypra Therapeutics students and handson education programs for LLC to develop a class of drugs for treating primary school students. The MNI proudly hosted neurological diseases such as Parkinsons Professor Glenn Schellenberg, Professor of disease. Crossdisciplinary research at the Psychology, University of Toronto, as the 2013 MNI University and the Florey has found that a International Guest Keynote Lecturer. Glenn tackled class of synthetic compounds called copper the popular idea that music makes you smarter. bis (thiosemicarbazones) can potentially treat The MNI has continued to develop partnerships Parkinsons disease and other neurodegenerative with industry, academia and key local groups diseases such as motor neuron disease. including GlaxoSmithKline, lUniversit Pierre et `` New research has found a wellknown compound Marie Curie, the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, the that influences copper levels may help treat World Presidents Organization and the Committee a progressive and incurable disease that for Melbourne. The MNI also takes the lead role in attacks a person's nervous system. In Australia, the Universitys involvement in the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Australias largest brain research collaboration, the Gehrigs disease kills approximately two people Melbourne Brain Centre; a partnership between the every day. An international team including Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health researchers from the University and the Florey (the Florey), Austin Health, Melbourne Health and has reported in The Journal of Neuroscience that the University of Melbourne. the aforementioned compound can improve mobility and significantly extend life in an animal model of the disease. 26 Neurosciences Victoria

29 THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE `` A small device implanted in the brain has Major neuroscience initiatives at the University of accurately predicted seizure occurrence in Melbourne sponsored by MNI include: humans in a worldfirst study led by Professor CENTRE FOR NEURAL ENGINEERING Mark Cook, Chair of Medicine at the University Professor Stan Skafidas of Melbourne and Director of Neurology at St Vincents Hospital. Alongside Professors Terry The Centre for Neural Engineering (CfNE) was OBrien and Sam Berkovic, Professor Cook officially launched in 2011. CfNE draws together worked with researchers at Seattlebased leading neuroscientists, neurologists, psychiatrists, company NeuroVista, to develop this device cell biologists, geneticists, electrophysiologists, which monitors longterm electrical signals in chemists, physicists and engineers to work on the brain (EEG data). Professor Cook hopes cutting edge bionics, computational neurobiology, to replicate the findings of the study in larger sensors and imaging and stem cell and disease clinical trials and is optimistic the technology model based research. The core goals of the CfNE will lead to improved management strategies for are to develop new approaches to facilitate an epilepsy. Collaborators on the study included the understanding of how neurons, neural networks and Royal Melbourne Hospital and Austin Health. ultimately, the whole brain functions. CfNE aids this through the creation and use of key technologies to `` Professor Trevor Kilpatrick, Director of enable the development of neural prostheses. the Melbourne Neuroscience Institute and Associate Professor Helmut Butzkueven are MUSIC MIND AND WELLBEING part of a research team that has made a major Professor Sarah Wilson breakthrough in unravelling the cause of The worldfirst Music, Mind & Wellbeing (MMW) multiple sclerosis by identifying 48 previously initiative links neuroscience with music and social unknown genetic variants that influence the risk wellbeing through a unique set of collaborations of developing this autoimmune disease. The spanning music, science, health, education and findings from this international research program industry. The MMWs bold research agenda involves a almost double the number of known genetic globally unique set of multidisciplinary collaborations risk factors for this disease, which affects some between researchers. MMW researchers are 23,000 Australians. These discoveries will bring developing new scientific approaches to music that researchers a step closer to developing the first incorporate perspectives from multiple disciplines. curative treatments. The research was published The integration of complementary perspectives is in the journal Nature Genetics. generating a new theoretical framework for music that These achievements are a testimony to the expertise is both translational and transformative. and fortitude of MNI researchers and also to the MELBOURNE BRAIN CENTRE IMAGING UNIT support offered the Universitys scientists by the Professor Roger Ordidge Melbourne Research Office and, in particular, the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The Imaging Unit within the Melbourne Brain the Melbourne School of Engineering and the Centre at Parkville houses a PETCT scanner and a Faculty of Science. 7T MRI scanner. In combination, these cuttingedge imaging technologies will lead to advances in the diagnosis and the eventual treatment of a wide range of neurological disorders. This involves close collaboration between the Universitys scientists and engineers, as well as researchers in associated institutes, in particular the Florey, public teaching hospitals, and national and international centres of research excellence. Annual Report 2013-2014 27

30 THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE NEUROSCIENCES AND BEHAVIOURAL `` Psychiatry SCIENCES DOMAIN `` Basic neurosciences Coordinator: Professor Andrew Allen `` Developmental neurobiology Research in neuroscience requires expertise `` Neurophysiology and neuropharmacology that crosses all of the traditional disciplines. `` Autonomic and sensory systems Consequently, interactions between neuroscientists `` Molecular and cellular neuroscience and neurologists with different expertise are `` Advanced technologies essential for advancing the field. An important role of the Neurosciences and Behavioural Sciences `` Stem cell sciences Research Domain is to develop and facilitate those `` Neural engineering interactions. The coordination of such interactions `` Neural imaging occurring between University departments, institutes and hospitals is a key focus for the Domain. STEM CELLS AUSTRALIA Professor Martin Pera The Domains research interests are grouped into Stem Cells Australia (SCA) is an Australian Research four broadly interrelated groups that provide Council funded initiative that brings together researchers with the opportunity to engage closely Australias premier life scientists to tackle the big with people who share an interest in their particular questions in stem cell science. By linking Australias area of research focus. The groups; Neurological leading experts in bioengineering, nanotechnology, Disorders, Behavioural Neurosciences / Psychology stem cell biology, advanced molecular analysis and Mental Health, Basic Neurosciences and and clinical research, the Stem Cells Australia Advanced Technologies, are further segmented collaboration is uncovering the fundamental into specific subdomains, recognising that many mechanisms involved in stem cell regulation and researchers have overlapping interests in more than differentiation. SCA will translate that knowledge one of these areas. These are: into innovative biotechnological and therapeutic `` Neurological disorders applications. The unique multidisciplinary approach `` Clinical neurology will also foster and train the next generation of `` Neurodegenerative disease Australian stem cell scientists, cementing Australias `` Epilepsy future position in the field. `` Stroke The University, in partnership with the Florey, `` Neurotrauma and neural regeneration continues to optimise the quality of the research `` Behavioural neurosciences / psychology and experience and productivity of research mental health higher degree students who are focusing on `` Human cognition and behavioural neuroscience the neurosciences, whether their projects are `` Social psychology and human development undertaken within University laboratories or those `` Clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology of independent medical research institutes. www.neuroscience.unimelb.edu.au 28 Neurosciences Victoria

31 FINANCIALS NEUROSCIENCES VICTORIA LIMITED ABN 56 094 548 973 STATEMENT OF STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FINANCIAL POSITION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014 AS AT 30 JUNE 2014 2014 2013 2014 2013 $ $ $ $ Revenues 633,277 616,313 Current assets Employee benefits expense -555,325 -641,731 Cash and cash equivalents 462,634 1,074,418 Depreciation, amortisation Trade and other receivables 68,002 143,608 -3,459 -9,775 and impairment losses Other financial assets 2,000,000 1,600,000 Business development expense -61,033 -69,854 Other assets 143,569 111,902 Insurance expense -11,368 -12,712 Total current assets 2,674,205 2,929,928 Professional fees -62,179 -73,617 Travel expense -66,421 -41,118 Non-current assets Occupancy expense -8,484 -31,706 Property, plant and equipment 10,149 10,890 Other expenses -33,900 -27,253 Financial assets 7 7 Scholarships - -25,000 Total non-current assets 10,156 10,897 Write-off of 1,271 -13,976 Total assets 2,684,361 2,940,825 non-recoverable debts Profit before tax -167,621 -330,429 Current liabilities Income tax expense - - Trade and other payables 141,886 210,390 Profit for the year -167,621 -330,429 Employee benefit liabilities 140,179 130,114 Other comprehensive income/ Other liabilities 327,574 355,867 - - (expense) Total current liabilities 609,639 696,371 Total comprehensive -167,621 -330,429 income/(expense) for the year Non-current liabilities Employee benefit liabilities 753 2,864 Total non-current liabilities 753 2,864 Neurosciences Victoria acknowledges the support of the following. Total liabilities 610,392 699,235 Net assets 2,073,969 2,241,590 Equity Reserves 2,248,420 2,248,420 Australian Trade Commission Retained earnings -174,451 -6,830 Total equity 2,073,969 2,241,590 Annual Report 2013-2014 29

32 ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 NEUROSCIENCES VICTORIA LTD ACN 094 548 973 Level 5, Melbourne Brain Centre 30 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3010 Australia p +61 3 8344 1802 e [email protected] w www.neurosciencesvic.com.au

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