Insulin receptor researchers win top CSIRO award

By November 15th, 2006

A team of scientists who determined the molecular structure of the insulin receptor – the protein on the surface of cells that mediates the effects of insulin – has won the 2006 CSIRO Chairman’s Medal.

Around 200 guests were invited to the CSIRO Medals ceremony at the Queensland Bioscience Precinct in Brisbane this afternoon (15 November), including the Member for Dickson and Federal Revenue Minister and Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Peter Dutton, who launched the CSIRO 80th anniversary commemorative polymer banknote.

The discovery of the molecular structure of the insulin receptor, which has been published in the prestigious international journal Nature, may lead to further important developments in the ongoing quest to enhance understanding of how insulin functions in the body.

The team from CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies (now Materials Science and Engineering), led by Dr Colin Ward, has been at the forefront of research on the structural biology of the insulin receptor family since the early 1990s.

“This discovery will facilitate future research that ultimately might lead to the development of new therapies for diabetes or cancer.”

CSIRO chairman, Catherine Livingstone, presented the medal to Dr Ward at the ceremony.

“The challenge of solving this structure has thwarted many laboratories worldwide over the last two decades, so this is a great scientific achievement,” Ms Livingstone said.

“To beat other research teams to this discovery as well as being the first to solve the structures reflects the quality of the science that is being delivered by CSIRO.

“This discovery will facilitate future research that ultimately might lead to the development of new therapies for diabetes or cancer.”

The CSIRO Chairman’s Medal is awarded annually to the scientists who have carried out research and development of national or international importance in the advancement of scientific knowledge, technology application or commercialisation.

Dr Ron Sandland, CSIRO’s deputy chief executive and former chief of CSIRO’s Division of Mathematics and Statistics, won the CSIRO Medal for Lifetime Achievement, for his service to CSIRO over the past 37 years. Dr Sandland’s organisational leadership culminated in the successful implementation of the National Research Flagship program.

Other winners (see attached backgrounder) were:

  • John Philip Award for the Promotion of Excellence in Young Scientists: Dr Tim Muster and Dr Glenn Wilson.
  • CSIRO Medal for Business Excellence: Intellection Pty Ltd – the commercialisation of QEMSCAN.
  • CSIRO Medals for Research Achievement: Dry-formed Carbon Nanotube Structures for Advanced Textiles, Dr John Church from CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Centre for Environmental Contaminants Research, Air Cargo Scanner for the Detection of Contraband in Air Cargo Containers.

Fast facts

  • The CSIRO Chairman’s Medal is awarded annually to the scientists who have carried out research and development of national or international importance in the advancement of scientific knowledge, technology application or commercialisation
  • Around 200 guests were invited to the CSIRO Medals ceremony at the Queensland Bioscience Precinct in Brisbane this afternoon (15 November)
  • The team from CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies (now Materials Science and Engineering), led by Dr Colin Ward, has been at the forefront of research on the structural biology of the insulin receptor family since the early 1990s