Monash University’s Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI) and Cardiff University’s Systems Immunity Research Institute have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will see the two institutes extend their collaborative activities.

The five year mutual agreement recognises highly productive joint projects already being conducted around inflammation and immunity, and provides a mechanism for enabling additional projects in the areas of research collaboration; exchange of materials, scholars and students; and co-operative seminars and workshops.

Professor Colin Riordan, Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, said: “The signing of the MOU celebrates another step forward in what will continue to be a highly successful exchange programme and transfer of knowledge between the two countries for the benefit of all.”

Common research interests

Current high profile projects include several on lymphocyte receptor biology and a joint study that has revealed how HIV-I can evade the immune system.

Commenting on the HIV-I study, Professor Jamie Rossjohn, a Welsh-born academic at the Monash BDI, and joint faculty with the Systems Immunity Research Institute, said: “This was an exciting and unexpected find that was only possible as a result of the close collaborative ties between Monash and Cardiff researchers.”

Commenting on a collaborative project that led to over £2m in funding to explore inflammatory mechanisms responsible for promotion of arthritis and cancer, Cardiff University’s Professor Simon Jones said: “Cardiff and Monash share many common research interests, supporting our ambition to improve understanding of chronic disease progression and patient diagnosis and treatment“.

A long history of highly productive collaboration

Joint research between the institutes has also involved visits of several early career investigators, including a prestigious Arthritis Research UK Travelling Fellowship to Dr Gareth Jones who worked for two years in Australia studying severe inflammatory arthritis. Similarly, Drs Claire Greenhill and Tommy Liu moved from Melbourne to Cardiff to complete post-doctoral studies.

In June 2015, Professors Simon Jones and Valerie O’Donnell, Co-Director of the Systems Immunity Research Institute, visited Monash to initiate the MOU on a Cardiff University International Travel Award.

“Cardiff and Monash have a long history of highly productive collaboration,” Professor O’Donnell said.

“Recognising this with an MOU will be transformational in allowing us to continue our work and attract more faculty and projects to participate in this exciting exchange program,” she said.

About the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute

Committed to making the discoveries that will relieve the future burden of disease, the newly established Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University brings together more than 120 internationally-renowned research teams. Our researchers are supported by world-class technology and infrastructure, and partner with industry, clinicians and researchers internationally to enhance lives through discovery.