New robotic drug discovery platform for ACT

The ANU, the ACT Minister for Health and the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) have launched a new robotic system to fast-track the development of new drugs to fight cancer and other diseases. The High Throughput Robotic Target and Drug Discovery Screening Platform, in the ACRF Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics at The John Curtin School of Medical Research at ANU, is the first technology of its kind in the ACT. The specialised robotics and precision instruments will enable researchers to test thousands of possible drug compounds against hundreds of disease cells, to find the best possible treatment for patients. ACT Centenary Chair of Cancer Research Professor Ross Hannan said the new technology would increase research collaboration and lead to more rapid drug discoveries in the fight against cancer and many other diseases. "This is an exciting time for research collaboration across the ACT. The multi-million dollar equipment will cut screening times from years to months," said Professor Hannan, Head of the ACRF Department of Cancer Biology and Therapeutics at ANU. Until now, researchers in the ACT needed to travel to Sydney or Melbourne to use similar machines.