Science on show during Perth Protein Group Bunbury visit

A group of the brightest minds in protein science travelled to the South West this month to share leading research in the field.

More than 60 young scientists from WA universities and institutions visited Bunbury to present their research at the Perth Protein Group’s annual general meeting held at ECU South West.

The meeting is one of the first of its kind to provide early career protein scientists with the opportunity to visit the regions and present beyond their own institution.

UWA PhD student Farley Kwok Van Der Giezen studies the genome and proteins of a native club-moss sampled from the South West.

He said there was still so much to be learnt from the native local flora.

Bunbury-raised Mark Gibberd, director of Curtin University Centre for Crop and Disease Management, said Bunbury had a huge amount to offer the scientific community.

“Bunbury and the South West region provides a ‘living laboratory’ for scientists interested in everything from marine science through to geology, health, social science, environmental science, agriculture and industrial optimisation,” Professor Gibberd said.

“Meetings like this are vital for young students as a creative environment for sharing of ideas and collaboration.”

The conference was held from September 10 to 12.