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In brief... Contribution of Joe Baker acknowledged in dedication ceremony
Dr Baker has had a distinguished career in science working with institutions such as the Roche Research Institute of Marine Pharmacology, James Cook University and AIMS and as an influential advisor for Earthwatch, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Australian Heritage Committee, and World Wildlife Fund Australia.
Images: John de Rooy Dr Baker founded aquaculture and marine biodiscovery research at AIMS which led to the Institute’s significant contributions to the growth of the prawn aquaculture industry in Queensland and the discovery of two chemical compounds in sponges that are currently in pre-clinical trials as potential anti-cancer drugs from the sea.
Dr. Joe Baker at the dedication. Images: John de Rooy He played an important role in gaining World Heritage listing for the Great Barrier Reef and was instrumental in generating awareness and progress in the issues surrounding the ethical utilisation of biodiversity in biotechnology research, within the Asian Pacific region. In 1993 Dr Baker became Commissioner for the Environment of the Australian Capital Territory and six years later he took on his current position as Chief Scientist of Queensland’s Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries. In 2002, Dr Baker received the Order of Australia for his contribution to environmental studies and chemistry. He is has also been acknowledged as a ‘Queensland's Great’, is a Centenary Medal recipient and was given a Clunes Ross Award. Tropical marine science boosted in the Commonwealth budget AIMS will receive a funding boost for its science over the next four years. In 2007-08 AIMS budget will be an increase over this year’s funding allocation of 9%. The 4-year budget represents a total commitment of $110.6 million from the Australian Government, which is the largest budget in AIMS’ history. New funding announced by the Australian Government in the Budget heralded an additional $5 million over four years for AIMS research in northwest Australia. CEO Dr Ian Poiner has welcomed the funding. "Northwest Australia is a region rich not only with marine biodiversity, but also with abundant natural gas resources. "Further investment into research to support the sustainable development of the growing oil and gas industry in the northwest, represent a major step forward both for the field of marine science and for our nation," says Dr Poiner. Minister visits AIMS The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP visited AIMS on May 14th. Minister Bishop met with AIMS staff to discuss current issues in marine science and toured the facility for a first hand glimpse of AIMS’ research operations.
The Minister was briefed by senior researchers on topics such as tropical aquaculture, marine microbiology, climate change and the new Great Barrier Reef Ocean Observing System due to come on-line within the year. During her visit, Minister Bishop announced a further injection of funds to enable equipment upgrade for the Institute. "I was very impressed during my visit to the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) by the staff and to learn about some of the cutting edge research underway. "AIMS received a significant funding boost in the Budget with an additional $5 million over four years to further support research into the protection and sustainable use of the marine resources of Australia’s tropical ocean territories. "I was also pleased to announce an additional $310,000 to fit a winch capable of deploying ‘livewire’ from AIMS’ new research vessel, the RV Solander, and to upgrade the receiving station that gathers satellite data for the Great Barrier Reef.
AIMS hosts Indonesian biotechnology researchers Indonesian marine scientists Dr Ekowati Chasanah and Mr Hedi Indra Januar have teamed up with researchers at AIMS in their search to gain a better understanding of Indonesia’s valuable marine biodiversity. The two scientists have been working at AIMS for the past year using AIMS’ unique suite of analytical chemistry equipment with a view to building similar capabilities in Indonesia.
Mr. Hedi Indra Januar. Photo: AIMS The project, which is funded by an AusAID Indonesia Public Sector Linkages Program grant, is investigating anti-cancer and anti-microbial properties of chemicals found in Indonesian soft corals and sponges and the microbes associated with these organisms. While some of the work is done in Indonesia, Dr Chasanah’s home facility, the Research Centre for Marine Fisheries Product Processing and Biotechnology in Jakarta, lacks the technical equipment to identify chemical compounds and map their molecular structure. "AIMS has specialised equipment such as a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, which aids us in identifying what these compounds are and to determining if their chemical structures have already been published," said Dr Chasanah. So far the team has discovered 2 new active compounds and isolated 18 previously identified compounds which may have important bioactive properties.
Dr. Ekowati Chasanah and Dr. Tony Wright . Photo: AIMSMr Januar says that the use of the biomolecular analysis equipment at AIMS has allowed him to make headway on his biodiscovery research. In addition, he has also learned valuable technical skills which will he will take back and use in his home laboratory. "The laboratory techniques I have learned at AIMS are much more streamlined and efficient than the methods we were previously using. Incorporating these new techniques will allow us to produce much better results." Dr Chasanah is particularly interested in AIMS’ approach to biodiscovery and is exploring the systems AIMS has developed to support scientific research in this sector. "I am going to take home a lot of new ideas about good research processes and strategies. I have also learned a lot about marine benefit sharing policy and collaboration. "Because Indonesia is a global hot spot for biodiversity, understanding how best to study our biochemical diversity and how to use marine resources sustainably, will bring major economic and environmental benefits to our country." WAMSI launch kicks off major marine science collaboration
The Premier of Western Australia, the Hon Alan Carpenter, MLA, officially launched the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), on Friday 18 May 2007. WAMSI, a multi-million dollar initiative, is a five year marine science research joint venture between 14 state, federal, industry and tertiary organisations. The Institution will undertake strategic marine research and develop knowledge underpinning the conservation and sustainable management of the state of WA’s marine environment and resources. WAMSI partner organisations include: the Australian Institute of Marine Science, the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO Wealth from Oceans Flagship, Curtin University of Technology, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, University of Western Australia, Western Australian Global Ocean Observing System, the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, the Western Australian Department of Fisheries, the Western Australian Department of Industry & Resources & the Western Australian Museum, BHP-Billiton Pty Ltd and Woodside Petroleum Ltd. More information can be found at:[ www.wamsi.org.au ]
Photo: WAMSI |
