Young BioGENEius Conducts Research at WAIMR

January 8th, 2008 - Media Statement

The Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) is playing host to a biotechnology researcher with a difference - he's only 15 years old!

Murdoch College student Alex Blair is one of only six participants chosen to compete in the Sanofi-Aventis International BioGENEius Challenge of Western Australia. Two finalists will progress to compete in the International BioGENEius Challenge, to be held in the US.

The Applecross teenager - who will be studying Year 12 chemistry and human biology while completing Year 11 in 2008 - will spend his summer holidays conducting real-world research into designing new proteins for cancer treatment.

As part of an ongoing strategy for supporting young talent with an interest for biotechnology, Alex is being mentored by WAIMR Cell Signalling Group head Dr Evan Ingley. Dr Ingley's work concentrates on understanding the signalling networks or "information highways" of both normal and diseased cells.

The BioGENEius Challenge process requires students to undertake scientific experiments that demonstrate excellent collection, analysis and presentation of raw data including the control of all significant variables.

WAIMR Director Professor Peter Klinken said the organisation shared the values of the International BioGENEius Challenge of Western Australia.

"Our objective is always to capture the inquisitive nature of students with an interest in science, with the goal of developing the next generation of industry professionals," Professor Klinken said.

A competitive swimmer for the Riverton Blue Marlins Swim Club, Alex has a keen interest in how science impacts upon the human body. The well-rounded teenager also studies classical piano and aspires to a career in either medicine or engineering.

"Conducting research at WAIMR is giving me a real insight into how scientific discoveries make a difference to people's lives," Alex said.

"The BioGENEius Challenge is exciting because it allows WA students to compare the research we are doing with our peers from around the world. It would be a great honour to be selected to compete in the US final."

Alex is competing with six other high school students being mentored by Murdoch University, The University of WA and Saturn Biotech. Their research projects cover a range of biotechnology areas including the investigation of environmental influences affecting wine flavour and aroma, environmental influences on sand dune plants and the factors affecting plant fungicide resistance.

Semi-finalists are to present their research findings in a written report and give an oral presentation to a judging panel in April. The two finalists will then progress to compete in the International BioGENEius Challenge, receiving an all-expenses trip to the US with their nominated teacher.

Run in the US by the Biotechnology Institute, Western Australia is the first participant outside of North America and the seventh region to join the competition.

For more information please contact:
Natalie Papadopoulos
Media Consultant for the WA Institute for Medical Research
Mobile: 0407 984 435
Office: (08) 9388 9280