Murdoch University is a research intensive university whose mission is to extend knowledge and stimulate learning for the benefit of the community. In carrying out this mission, Murdoch University aspires to be a world class university in which research and development is conducted to the highest international standards. Murdoch University currently hosts, or is in partnership with over 50 Research Centres and Institutes in a wide range of disciplines, including twelve Co-operative Research Centres and nine State Centres of Excellence.

Murdoch University’s commitment to the commercialisation of research outcomes is exemplified by the formation of six spin-off companies in the past three years: Cryptogen (Cryptosporidium Assays), DIVA Solutions (Avian Influenza vaccine marker), Spirogene (Vaccine and diagnostic kit for Avian Intestinal Spirochaetosis) and more recently Nemgenix (Nematode resistant GM crops), DeSal (novel thermal desalination technology) and Cellumina (scaffold for skin cell growth for wound healing). Murdoch University provides researchers with a competitive edge by offering the most comprehensive state-of-the-art enabling technologies for Agribiotech, Veterinary and Plant Biotechnology, Biomedical Science, Environmental Sustainability and Nanotechnology research.

Centre for Clinical Immunology and Biomedical statistics - Simon Mallal leads an internationally recognised research group in the development of innovative personalised tests for major diseases including HIV. The group have developed a DNA test for hypersensitivity to “Abacavir”, commonly used in HIV treatment, which was rigorously trialled in a double-blind study funded by GlaxoSmith Kline. They are currently expanding their research into genetic testing for other infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B & C and would be interested in collaboration and co-development opportunities with large pharmaceutical companies.

Novel Antiparasitic Drugs - Murdoch University biomedical scientists Professor Andrew Thompson and Tanya Armstrong in collaboration with Dr Wayne Best and Dr Giuseppe Luna from WA-based company Epichem Pty Ltd are developing novel drugs for treatment of major parasitic diseases, such as trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and cryptosporidisis for human and animal health applications. One area of focus is the tropical disease African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), which is funded by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) in Geneva. The group are also currently seeking partners for animal health applications, in particular for the development of an effective drug for the treatment of leishmaniasis in dogs.

Separation Science Laboratory - The Separation Science Laboratory led by Associate Professor Robert Trengrove is a core facility at Murdoch University for collaborations with researchers and industry.  The Laboratory performs analysis of gas, liquid and solid samples in application areas ranging from crude oil through to pharmaceuticals in blood and urine; encompassing food, human, animal and plant samples.  The Separation Science/Metabolomics Laboratory at Murdoch University currently has equipment with femtogram (fg or 10-15g) detection limits and later this year will take receipt of an instrument with detection limits approaching attograms (ag or 10-18 g). This group is seeking collaborations from research partners and industry.

BioCement - Dr Ralf Cord Ruwisch, Murdoch University, in collaboration with Dr Ed Kucharski from WA-based company Calcite Technology Pty Ltd have developed a new technology BioCement (or MICP – Microbial initiated Carbonate Precipitation) that uses bacteria to initiate crystallisation of carbonates to form a high strength cemented product. We are currently seeking interested collaborators of the technology and investors in applications such as BioBricks, “instant pavement” and ornamental and structural blocks, applications of the BioCement process to wood and sawdust, and treatments to repair or prevent deterioration of masonry, monuments and other built structures.

Microbial Fuel Cells - These cells utilise microbial communities to degrade organics found within wastewater (and theoretically in any organic waste product), converting stored chemical energy to electrical energy in a single step. Murdoch University is currently undertaking research to optimise the electron transfer process by investigating the bacterial electron –transferring mechanisms. Murdoch’s research team comprising Prof Goen Ho, Dr Ralf Cord-Ruwisch and Ka Yu Cheng have so far achieved power densities that exceed the highest reported values in the literature in a similar reactor scale. Murdoch University is currently seeking interested partners for research collaborations.