The technique that brewers use to make beer - fermentation - is helping revolutionise the fight against diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis C, influenza and diabetes. The technique is being highlighted at a Science Forum at CSIRO in Melbourne today.

According to Dr Colin Ward from the CSIRO Division of Biomolecular Engineering, proteins from these diseases are being reared in yeast so that researchers can study them.

"The proteins that play an important role in the structure and function of their host disease need to be produced in the laboratory. However in the case of viruses like AIDS, the viruses normally cannot be grown outside the human body, and we are not able to isolate enough virus from sufferers to produce sufficient protein for our needs," Dr Ward says.

The DNA for the protein of interest is cloned and inserted into the gene of a yeast cell. The yeast cells are then grown in large fermentation tanks. The protein from the resultant broth is then isolated by sophisticated filters. The material can then be studied using the structure in solution or by X-Ray crystallography.

"So far we have successfully used the technique with a protein from HIV, insulin and Hepatitis C," Dr Ward says.

The technique has contributed to the Division's world acclaimed development of an anti-influenza drug. This work was carried out in collaboration with the Victorian College of Pharmacy and was supported by the Melbourne based company Biota. It is in late stage clinical trials being done by international pharmaceutical company Glaxo-Wellcome.

Melbourne residents will have an opportunity to see fermenters in operation at the Division's Open Day on Sunday 1st December.

Photo opportunities at the Open Day.
More Information: Doug Gale tel:(03) 9342 4332 or (03) 9342 4212