Burnet Institute Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb AC has been appointed to mRNA Victoria’s new Scientific Advisory Group to provide advice on mRNA manufacturing capability in Victoria.

Operating for an initial term of two years, the Scientific Advisory Group support mRNA Victoria in the development of mRNA vaccine manufacturing and research.

mRNA Victoria will also work with industry associations such as AusBiotech and BioMelbourne Network to establish a panel of industry experts and service providers to complement the expertise of the Advisory Group.

The members of the group are:

• Dr Amanda Caples – Victoria’s Lead Scientist and Chair of the Group
• Professor Sharon Lewin – Director, Doherty Institute
• Dr Barney Graham – Deputy Director, Vaccine Research Center, US National Institutes of Health
• Professor William Charman – Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University
• Professor Brendan Crabb – Director, Burnet Institute
• Professor Doug Hilton – Director, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
• Professor Terry Nolan – Head, Infectious Diseases, University of Melbourne
• Professor John Carroll – Director, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute
• Professor Andrew Steer – Director, Infection and Immunity, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

Panel member Dr Barney Graham will bring special expertise to this field, having worked with American company Moderna to create their mRNA vaccine.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines give instructions for our cells to make a harmless piece of what is called the ‘spike protein’ that triggers an immune response inside our bodies so the vaccinated person gains protection without facing the risk of getting sick with COVID-19.

Victoria’s Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, The Hon. Jaala Pulford MP, said the Advisory Group will ensure that Victoria is at the forefront of mRNA research.

“The brilliant experts who are part of this group will provide us with an unparalleled understanding of mRNA, which will help Victoria become home to world-class vaccine manufacturing capability.”

The Victorian Government is investing $50 million to build mRNA capability, which will equip Australia with vaccine support for protection against coronavirus and future pandemics, and capabilities for new research breakthroughs.