Day Out at the Walter & Eliza Institute
Posted on Mar 14, 2017
Over 30 members and friends of Hawthorn Rotary took the opportunity last Tuesday to travel to Parkville and indulge in a tour of the Walter and Eliza Institute, Australia's world renowned medical research laboratory. Currently served by more that 800 scientists its activities today concentrate on cancer, infectious diseases and immune system defects.W & E hostess Sally Cane looked after us. She had a concisely defined one hour program. Thank you Sally.
The facility/building itself was very impressive. Recent additions hid the fact that the institute has just celebrated its 100 years. An "anniversary cake" in the foyer and a magnificent time line along the length of the entrance corridor highlighting its achievements and that of past personnel dispelled that.
The combination of a short generic promotional film, and then specific presentations by scientists on a couple of examples of the laboratory's current research on insulin/diabetes, and macular degeneration were well received. Later questions from the audience occasionally had personal thrusts, particularly when the issue of the role genetics to disease arose!
Most fascinating was a short animated film on one topic cleverly portraying complex human biochemical processes. Our generally non-science oriented audience followed with interest.
Subsequently we were toured one laboratory. The technicians were able to ignore us and happily concentrate on their work apparently extracting and cataloging various samples of tissue(?) for testing and examination. It was a snapshot to the sheer complexity of their work and the enduring diligence required of medical scientists today.
Following the visit most walked the 100 metres or so to Naughton's for a pleasant pub lunch.
With many making photos of the event that are too many to photos to view, so I’ve loaded a set here: https://goo.gl/photos/NACTvdi8XayDChwB6 . (Gordon Cheyne)