ARMI embraces national research infrastructure to accelerate regenerative medicine pipeline

ARMI hosted an NCRIS Showcase at Monash University’s Clayton campus earlier this month, bringing together researchers, national capability leaders and institutional partners to map out what Australia’s research infrastructure can do for regenerative medicine. 

The event was organised by ARMI to deepen its engagement with capabilities supported by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). Three organisations were key in delivering the event: Therapeutic Innovation Australia (TIA), Phenomics Australia and Bioplatforms Australia.  

​​​​​Dr William Roman, ARMI Group Leader and Industry Engagement lead, who hosted the showcase, said the event was organised to ensure ARMI researchers were aware of the national research infrastructure available to them and how to use it. “When a project reaches a critical stage, we want to already have relationships in place with these vital facilities and a good understanding of how they support research translation,” he said. 

​​​Professor Peter Currie, ARMI’s Director of Research, said NCRIS-supported research infrastructure had strengthened the research capacity of the institute and Australia’s life science community. “NCRIS continues to be central to how we grow our R&D capability,” he said. “For institutes such as ours NCRIS is not peripheral to our work, it is foundational.” 

The showcase program opened with a comprehensive capability presentation from Dr John Parisot, a Strategic Partnerships Advisor across TIA, Phenomics Australia and Bioplatforms Australia. His talk introduced Monash researchers to the range of national platforms accessible, covering biomanufacturing, functional genomics, organoid systems and translational readiness.  

A panel discussion followed, facilitated by ARMI Deputy Director, Research Strategy and Impact, Professor Edwina McGlinn. Panellists included Dr Alexander Combes, Head of the Monash Genome Modification Platform; Dr Thierry Jardé, Director of the Monash Organoid Program; and Murray Manning, Platform Manager of the Monash Functional Genomics Platform. The discussion covered practical entry points for researchers and highlighted where NCRIS-backed services could reduce cost and accelerate timelines at critical stages of development. 

Dr Heather Donaghy, Director of Strategic Development for Cell and Gene Therapies at TIA. also joined attendees to connect and answer their questions about NCRIS capabilities for regenerative medicine and advanced therapies. 

Professor McGlinn said NCRIS programs such as TIA’s Pipeline Accelerator were particularly valuable. “These voucher-based programs reduce the cost of accessing specialised capabilities for therapeutic development projects and provide rapid entry points to the services and expertise needed at critical stages,” she said. “That seamless access matters because research translation depends on timing, quality and coordination.” 

The showcase closed with audience questions before moving to a networking morning tea. 

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