Research

CMC Vision for Research Success

The Centre for Medicinal Chemistry (CMC) is a medically focused research group investigating both fundamental and applied science of molecular-based systems related to medical research. The Centre is a part of the ‘Illawarra Institute for Health and Medical Research’ which aims to facilitate collaborative ventures, including with the newly formed University of Wollongong Graduate School of Medicine (GSM). The Centre brings together skilled personnel whose natural research focus is in the broad field of medicinal chemistry and.

The strengths of the CMC are:

• Internationally and nationally recognised research
• The personnel and their current research programs together with their highly successful existing national and international collaborations.
• The proposed research, which incorporates both fundamental and applied aspects, but has a strong focus, thus maximising the potential for success.
• The strong link with UoW’s Medicinal Chemistry undergraduate degree (BMedChem(Hons).

CMC Core Objectives

The aims of the CMC are:

• To undertake directed and fundamental research to enhance the understanding of the molecular origins of disease.
• To undertake modern drug design and development leading to new pharmaceuticals.
• To maintain and further develop collaborative links with industry, national and international centres of research excellence, and with individual high profile researchers.
• To increase the level of externally-funded research to enhance the capacity and diversity of our research effort. This will be approached by continuing our strong record in individual grant success and further encouraging applications for block funding.
• To maintain and expand UoW as an exceptional training centre for post-graduate students in the medicinal chemistry and biomedical research fields for the growing Australian biotechnology market.
• To create a strong culture of support for research excellence.
• To promote the commercialisation of R&D efforts.

CMC Research Focus

The CMC research programs are currently focused on three major disease states:

• Anti-Infectives - which encompasses antibacterial agents, including multi-drug resistant strains, anti-viral agents (HIV, Dengue fever, Hepatitis C, anti-fungal), and anti-malarial agents.
• Anti-Cancer Agents - incorporating drug design and development as well as formulation and clinical aspects.
• Cardio-vascular disease - involving fundamental research associated with phospholipids and diet as well as the development of new small molecule therapeutics.

While these targets represent major themes with the possibility of the formation of clusters of researchers, additional research programs of members already in place will also expand. Research into the above defined disease targets is approached in an interdisciplinary manner.