Bond University has received a significant grant of $3 million over five years from the Estate of Dr Clem Jones AO.
The grant will fund Bond University’s macular degeneration research project to help find a cure for the leading cause of blindness in Australia.
Led by Bond University’s professor of surgery Dr Patrick Warnke, the research project is a collaboration on a global scale between the University, other institutions, and leading Gold Coast ophthalmologists including Drs Darryl Gregor and Peter Heiner.
The team plans to develop a procedure, which utilizes the patient’s own adult stem cells and latest nanotechnology.
Bond University Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Stable said the research grant was an outstanding achievement for the University, which reflected the considerable growth in its research portfolio.
“This significant research grant will contribute immensely to the innovative and cutting-edge research that Dr Warnke and his team are conducting here on the Gold Coast,” said Professor Stable.
“Dr Warnke is an internationally recognised stem cell researcher known for growing a new jawbone in the back of a cancer sufferer using the patient’s own stem cells. He joined Bond University from Germany’s University of Kiel almost a year ago and has continued his revolutionary MyJoint program here.
“Furthermore, internationally acclaimed Evidence-Based-Medicine researcher Professor Paul Glasziou joined Bond from Oxford University earlier this month. Joining Pro Vice-Chancellor- Research, Professor Chris Del Mar, he will greatly enhance the University’s interest in this field.
“In the past two years our research and consultancy income increased by more than 40 percent from 2007 to 2008 and by a further 23 percent in 2009. This latest grant coupled with a $4 million grant from the Australian Government for a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Australia Fellowship awarded to Professor Paul Glasziou, truly does indicate we are building considerable momentum within our research capabilities.
“I commend Dr Warnke and the collaborative team on their innovative and important work to progress the cure of macular degeneration and I thank the trustees of the Estate of Dr Clem Jones AO for their support,” said Professor Stable.
