Building biomedical bridges
A SWINBURNE University academic has become the first senior tertiary researcher to take part in a new Israel short-stays program run by Australia Israel Medical Research (AUSiMED), a non-profit organisation that supports Australian–Israeli research partnerships and knowledge exchange in biomedical sciences.
A SWINBURNE University academic has become the first senior tertiary researcher to take part in a new Israel short-stays program run by Australia Israel Medical Research (AUSiMED), a non-profit organisation that supports Australian–Israeli research partnerships and knowledge exchange in biomedical sciences.
With funding from the Besen Family Foundation, AUSiMED’s short-stays program introduces senior Australian doctors and biomedical scientists to Israel, its scientists and its research and development, and promotes research collaborations beneficial for Australia and Israel. The individualised visits are coordinated with the Australia–Israel Chamber of Commerce.
Professor Sally McArthur, Swinburne’s Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and a CSIRO science leader in biomedical manufacturing, focuses on developing 4D imaging of in-vitro cell culture systems for applications in health and medical research.
After returning from a program of professional meetings in Israel, McArthur said, “I could really ask questions in a lot more detail than I would have if I’d gone on a mission. Learning about the cultural differences in research and development was really important. My program of meetings was a really good mix for things that interested me in my various different roles and in my personal research. Discussions focused on opportunities to collaborate and build the pipeline of research ready for commercialisation.
“I met Israeli researchers looking for commercial partners and I was able to instantly connect them to Australian companies with med tech manufacturing facilities looking for new products … I’d like to see if we could create a bridge where we take ideas from Australia and get them early-stage validated in Israel.”
AUSiMED chair Antony Cohen described the program as “a fabulous vehicle for participants to explore potential partnerships between Australian and Israeli universities, research institutions and medical technology companies”.
AJN STAFF
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