Macquarie University has signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the Obama Administration’s prestigious National Cancer Institute to help drive further momentum into critical cancer research. The MOU was announced last week during US Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to Australia.

As part of the US Cancer Moonshot initiative, Macquarie University will contribute its first-class proteomics research into melanoma and colorectal cancer that particularly impacts Australians, with expansion into other cancer types anticipated. The University was selected to be a part of the US Cancer Moonshot based on its expertise in proteomics and advancements it has made with respect to the appropriate treatment of patients with these cancers. This proteogenomics (genomics plus proteomics) program will save lives by earlier detection, as well as predicting more appropriate treatment of cancer patients.

“It is our intent to accelerate our world-class proteomics research for the benefits of the millions of cancer sufferers around the world. Macquarie University continues to lead the way with our research in this field thanks to the the Australian Proteomics Analysis Facility (APAF) and the Macquarie University Health Sciences Centre which brings together world-class clinical care, teaching and translational research with the aim of improving personalised patient outcomes and driving innovative medical advancements,” said Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research).

“With the right level of government and philanthropic support, we are confident that this important global, open-data sharing initiative will play a pivotal role in helping to find the breakthroughs needed to target cancer with fewer side-effects.”

Macquarie University is a global leader in proteomics, housing the world’s first proteomics facility. With proteomics identified as a key component of the US Cancer Moonshot initiative, the University is well-placed to offer some significant and high-quality research in this field.

Macquarie University will work in close collaboration with the other members of Australia’s Cancer Moonshot initiative including the NCRIS-funded Bioplatforms Australia, the Children’s Medical Research Institute, the Garvin Institute of Medical Research, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, as well as its current collaborators the Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Melanoma Institute Australia, Cancer Institute NSW, Cancer Council NSW and funding agency the National Health and Medical Research Council.