By NOEL MURPHY
BIOTERROR agents and new infectious diseases will be the focus of a new fully-fledged Geelong research centre, sources have told the Independent.
They expect Federal Government to announce the Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases (GCEID) this Friday.
City Hall made a funding application for the animal-human disease research facility to the Government’s Regional Development Australia Fund.
The centre would be a collaboration between the CSIRO’s Animal Health Laboratories, Barwon Health and Deakin University.
Former animal health laboratories boss Martyn Jeggo will head the facility in Barwon Health’s Kitchener House.
The centre would fill a national vacuum in researching the human side of zoonotic disease.
More than 70 per cent of emerging infectious diseases, and 80 per cent of bioterror agents, are zoonotic.
Zoonotic diseases start in animals then manifest in humans. The diseases include Hendra virus, avian flu and SARS.
Enterprise Geelong portfolio holder Cr Bruce Harwood told the Independent the GCEID would ramp up the city’s credentials as a major centre for life science research.
“It would be a great announcement and impetus in recognising Geelong’s importance in the life sciences sector,” he said.
G21 Geelong Region Alliance head Elaine Carbines said the emerging infectious diseases centre would involve global research and make Geelong Australia’s research centre for zoonotic diseases.
“Scientists are saying these emerging diseases pose the biggest threat to human health,” Ms Carbines said.
The centre is expected to draw investment into emerging fields of research and development, strengthen education links, boost high-end jobs and offer potential for supply industries.
It would bring together Geelong’s strengths to identify, monitor and develop treatments for new diseases as they move between animals and humans.
