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+ 19 — THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN JULY 9-10, 2005— 19 +

Health
Cancer hope grows
Low-fat lupin full of beans on algae research
A little-known bean could change the face of fast Ian Gerard cells of the common and easily grown
bacterium E. coli, grew cultures of the
food as we know it, reports Jane Lyons
S
CIENTISTS in Queensland have bacteria and found which cultures were
for the first time cloned DNA from a producing patellamide.
sea-dwelling algae that produces a Patellamide takes its name from a

L
UPINS have been grown and
the seed used as food since
ancient times. The Roman
writer Pliny said of the white
lupin that ‘‘if taken commonly at
meals, it will contribute a fresh
colour and a cheerful countenance’’.
Two thousand years later, lupins are
once again a source of good cheer: food
scientists at Deakin University have
revealed that the Australian sweet lupin
can replace fat in meat, lower cholesterol,
decrease blood glucose levels, improve
bowel health, lower the risk of bowel
cancer and taste good too.
Dr Ramon Hall, one of the Deakin
University food scientists who conducted
the tests, says their research has gener-
ated a lot of interest from industry and
‘‘there is a possibility for its use in the
fast-food arena’’.
The small creamy-coloured Australian
sweet lupin is the fifth-largest crop in
Australia and is predominantly exported
to the international animal feed market;
the remainder is fed to domestic cattle.
Like the soybean — which has been
indicated in the lowering of cholesterol,
the prevention of heart disease, the
stabilisation of blood sugar levels and the
risk reduction of bowel cancer — the
Australian sweet lupin is very high in
protein and nutrients. But with its lower
levels of fat and higher fibre content, the
lupin has even more to offer than its
high-profile soy cousin.
A recently completed Deakin Univer-
sity study, which is waiting for journal
submission, has revealed that Australian
sweet lupin fibre is indicated in improv-
ing bowel health and potentially lowering
the risk of bowel cancer.
In another study conducted by the
university, 38 men ate a control diet and a
diet of food products enriched with
WHOLE SEED (UNPROCESSED)
Aus sweet Whole
Grams per 100g Soy lupin
Protein 38 32
Fat 18
Available
carbohydrate 7.5
of which starch 2.5 0.5
of which sugars 5 2.5
Dietary fibre 13.5 23
Source: WA Department of Agriculture
sausage patties by replacing meat fat
with lupin fibre (British Journal of Nutri-
tion 2004;91(4):591-599).
All the studies observed a positive
response to the palatability of the lupin-
enriched products.
And with results like these, George
Weston Foods, which supplies bread and
meat products to Pizza Hut, Hungry
Jacks and McDonald’s, says it has big
plans for this little bean.
The food giant has been involved in
lupin research development for the past
two years with the aid of a $1.5 million
grant from the federal Government’s
National Food Innovation Strategy.
They have also been working with the
West Australian Department of Agricul-
ture on breeding and processing the crop,
which is predominantly grown in West-
ern Australia. The company, which
makes many well-known household
brands, supplied the Deakin University
project with a range of experimental
lupin-enriched products, including cakes,
muffins, bread and pasta.
Lupin-enriched chocolate milk and or-
known cancer-fighting chemical — al-
lowing them to mass produce the com-
pound in the laboratory and removing a
major hurdle to the development of new
wheat drugs from the sea.
‘‘This is one of the most important
12 breakthroughs in marine biotechnology
in recent times,’’ Australian Institute of
6 2.1 Marine Science biotechnology group
leader Chris Battershill said.
Researchers will now have a guaran-
3 62.9 teed supply of the compound, patella-
mide, that has proved particularly effec-
60 tive in killing lymphoma cells, and will
2.9 no longer have to return to the sea to
collect fresh supplies.
11 Lymphoma is a general term for a
cancer that begins in the lymphatic
system, part of a person’s immune
system. There are two main types of
lymphoma: non-Hodgkin’s and Hodg-
kin’s disease.
Details of the research were published
last week in the journal ChemBioChem
(2005;6:1-7; doi: 10.1002/cbic.200500210).
Scientists from AIMS, the University
of London and the University of Aber-
deen extracted the DNA from a type of
algae living inside sea squirts on the
Great Barrier Reef. The algae is what’s
called an obligate symbiont, meaning
Possibilities: Research into lupins has generated a lot of interest from food industry
neither the algae nor the sea squirt can
Australian fast food industry, Schutz says foods, versus exporting a similar sort of live without the other. Partly for this
his company keeps a very close tab on that crop to be fed into the animal market. It reason scientists have never been able to
market. He believes the increased aware- seems a bit silly,’’ Hall says. grow large amounts of the algae in the
ness of issues like obesity and the need for According to Sophie Sipsas, project laboratory, which has prevented pre-
healthier food will make the fast food manager of grain and legume product vious efforts to mass-produce patella-
industry receptive to this development. development at the WA Department of mide.
But while George Weston Foods’ own Agriculture, a number of European com- In the latest research, the scientists
nutrition policy has motivated their in- panies share the same concerns over GM inserted sections of the algae’s DNA into
terest in lupin, it was their non-GM food and have made the switch to lupins.
stance and their desire to find a replace- Many companies have used lupin flour to
ment for soy that led them to the
Australian sweet lupin.
‘‘Soy is used extensively within the food
cut the amount of butter and eggs used in
cakes, pastries and confectionery. Even the
finicky French have joined this trend, with
Flip side of weight loss
industry and the majority of soy in Austra- one company using lupins in such national Jonathan Leake
emblems as croissants and brioche. In
lia is imported and you can’t guarantee on
type of sea squirt called Lissoclinum
patella, a headless invertebrate animal
that attaches itself to coral and filters
water through its hollow body.
University of London molecular biolo-
gist Dr Paul Long said experts could not
be sure the compound would prove ‘‘the
next wonder cure’’ for cancer, but there
was now no reason why there would be a
limited supply for testing.
The same cloning technique can be
used to produce other compounds found
in marine environments. Further test-
ing for anti-cancer properties of patella-
mide will take place at the National
Cancer Institute in the US.
AIMS team leader Dr Walt Dunlap
said the search for new drugs derived
from the sea had been going on for 20 or
30 years, but very few drugs had got to
the stage of clinical trials.
‘‘The problem is the supply issue —
unless you can synthesise these com-
pounds in the laboratory, most of them
are produced in very small concentra-
tions. It’s just not sustainable to keep
taking them from the sea.’’
This supply issue has meant pharma-
ceutical companies have so far been
reluctant to pour money into marine
drug research. However, if testing shows
patellamide has potent anti-cancer ac-
tivities and few side-effects, drug com-
pany interest is expected to spike. ‘‘With-
out an assured source, pharmaceutical
companies are unwilling to invest the
estimated $800 million it takes to get a
drug from the sea to the shelves,’’
Battershill said.
University’s public health department,
who co-authored the research, said the

Australian sweet lupin fibre for a month
each. The study found that the lupin-
enriched diet lowered total blood choles-
terol by 4.5 per cent and the nasty LDL
cholesterol by 5.4 per cent (European
Journal of Clinical Nutrition
2005;59(3):325-333).
The addition of Australian sweet lupin
flour to white bread also helped to lower
the blood glucose levels of 11 men (Asia
Pacific Journal of Nutrition
2005;14(1):91-97), while yet another Dea-
kin University study achieved a 37 per
cent reduction in the fat content of
ange juice were also trialled, but the
Deakin University team created these.
According to Peter Schutz, chief execu-
tive of George Weston Foods Technolo-
gies, his company has also extracted a
number of patented proteins and fibres
from lupins, some of which can whip like
egg whites and others that have the
‘‘mouthfeel’’ of fats when eaten.
‘‘If you could make a healthy salami,
that would be a major breakthrough —
they are all part of what we are talking
about,’’ he says.
As one of the two main suppliers to the
R
ESEARCHERS have found over- results suggested weight loss by over-
the world market that you are going to get Australia, lupins have been used to substi-
weight people who diet in the hope of weight but otherwise healthy people
non-GM soy,’’ Schutz says. tute up to 30 per cent of soybeans in tofu.
improving their health die slightly could be ‘‘hazardous in the long term’’.
Last financial year, Australia imported Lupin research is fast replicating much younger than people who stay fat.
39,602 tonnes of soybeans and 312,150 of the work that has been done on the The paper stresses the findings do not
If confirmed, the study could raise apply to the obese or to overweight
tonnes of soybean meal at a cost of $132 health benefits of soy. serious doubts about the prevailing medi-
million. We exported almost double that And with George Weston Foods plan- people with related conditions such as
cal advice to overweight people that they diabetes. For such groups the relative
quantity in lupins to the international ning to build the world’s largest lupin de- should diet until their weight reduces.
animal feed market (605,912 tonnes) at the hulling plant in Western Australia, benefits of weight loss are likely to be far
It suggests the physiological and met-
near-equivalent value of $130 million. Schutz says it won’t be long before the greater, especially if accompanied by
abolic stresses associated with weight
Australia is currently the world’s big- benefits of lupins will be appearing in a taking more exercise.
loss could be so great as to outweigh the
gest producers of lupins. ‘‘The lupin is cake near you. benefits of being thinner. The research, An adult with a body mass index of
very similar to soybeans as a product and ‘‘Over the next two to three years you carried out in Finland, followed nearly more than 25 is classed as overweight
we are wondering why we import soy will see lupins appearing as an ingredi- 20,000 twins over a period of 24 years. while over 30 is obese.
products from overseas to make soy ent,’’ he says. Professor Jaakko Kaprio, of Helsinki The Sunday Times

Medical Appointments
Two GPs, FT/PT.
VR preferred. To join a busy, friendly practice at Cooranbong.
Excellent working conditions, with RN everyday until 3pm. Close to the
Staff Specialist - Paediatric Intensive
Watagans and Lake Macquarie. Contact Dr M Thrift (02) 4977 1702
or by mail 573 Freemans Drive Cooranbong 2265. w w w. d h h s . t a s . g o v. a u
Care Unit 20525

Position No. CC0315/0238/05. Closes 15/07/05.

The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Coffs Harbour Health Campus Valuing teamwork, creativity and flexibility, we offer many professional and lifestyle advantages.
Benefits include competitive salaries and allowances, salary packaging at our public hospitals,
Westmead is an expanding service with 17 critical care beds and
almost 1200 admissions per annum (including ~400 post-operative Coffs Harbour is on the North Coast of NSW, midway a commitment to personal and professional development and Tasmania's enviable lifestyle with
cardiac patients). The unit has an active academic, research and between Sydney and Brisbane . The area boasts superb relaxed living, incredible scenery, exciting recreation pursuits, and affordable real estate.
beaches, mountain scenery, excellent facilities and a
quality activities, and supports the state-wide paediatric burns and liver
relaxed outdoor lifestyle.
Visit Tasmania at www.discovertasmania.com.au
transplant units. The Unit is known for its innovative and collaborative
practice, and is widely regarded as an excellent training facility. The Clinical Nurse Educator –
position will involve provision of clinical cover on a rotating roster. Surgical Department Website: www.nscchealth.nsw.gov.au
Community Physiotherapist
The successful applicant may be offered a Conjoint or Clinical Academic Permanent Part Time (40 hpf) (Readvertised). Sorell Community Health Centre
Vacancy Ref: 641/04.
Staff Specialist – Emergency Medicine – F/T or P/T
appointment in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney at Position No: NS 5752
an academic level commensurate with the applicants’ qualifications and The surgical unit caters for a variety of mixed surgical $54,967-$59,817 per annum
Located at Hornsby Hospital, Emergency Department. Enquiries: Dr
experience. This academic appointment would be held for the duration specialty groups, primarily orthopaedics and GIT. • Responsible for the efficient and effective provision of Physiotherapy Services to clients living in
Nursing staff profiles comprise of RNs, ENs, TENs with Brett Gardiner (02) 9477 9369. Closing: 29 July 2005.
of the Hospital appointment. No remuneration is attached Applications to: Medical Administration, Hornsby Hospital, Palmerston the Sorell Municipality of Southern Tasmania.
the CNE position being supported by NUM3, NUM1 and
to the University position. Road, Hornsby NSW 2077.
a part-time ward-based discharge planner. • Coordinate the physiotherapy services, including supervision and support of staff and students
A part-time (0.5 FTE) position may also be offered to an Enquiries: Greg Urquhart (02) 6656 7585. Post Graduate Fellow – Urology – P/T 20 hpw and contribute to Health Promotion.
appropriate candidate. Salary: As per Public Hospital Nurses (State) Award. Position No: NS 5765
Applications Close: 22 July 2005. Contact: Christine Challis on (03) 6222 7217 or email chris.challis@dhhs.tas.gov.au
Located at Royal North Shore Hospital. Enquiries: Dr Harvey Alexander
Enquiries: Stephen Jacobe on (02) 9845 1994, page 6260 Vacancy No: 505485 (Re-advertised)
(02) 9439 1301. Application Kit & Job Description: Senior Medical
via (02) 9845 0000 or email stephej2@chw.edu.au Clinical Nursing Unit Manager – Staff Unit (02) 9926 6658. Closing: 14 July 2005.
Medical Assessment and Planning Unit
Send applications to:
Staff Services Department,
Visit the website
for job information
Permanent Full Time (Readvertised).
Staff Specialist – Department of Cancer Genetics – P/T 8 hpw
Position No: NS 5790
Pathways Home Rehabilitation Coordinator
Locked Bag 4001,
Vacancy Ref: 739/04. Located at Royal North Shore Hospital. Enquiries: Senior Medical Staff Launceston General Hospital
Westmead NSW 2145 www.chw.edu.au Newly created clinical coordinator position. You will be
required to coordinate patient care within the 10-bed
Unit (02) 9926 6658. Closing: 22 July 2005.
$56,582-$59,817 per annum
Medical Assessment and Planning Unit. Locum Staff Specialist – Renal Medicine – F/T
Enquiries: Stephen Rodwell (02) 6656 7037. Position No: NS 5728 • Responsible for establishing and maintaining best practice standards and clinical protocols to
Salary: NUM Level 1, $70,311 pa. Located at Royal North Shore Hospital, Renal Medicine Department. support the rehabilitation service.
Applications Close: 15 July 2005. Enquiries & Application Kit: Senior Medical Staff Unit (02) 9926 6658.
• In consultation with the Rehabilitation Team facilitate the coordinated management of patients
Closing: 15 July 2005.
specialist FOR ABOVE POSITIONS:
Applications Kits: Download at www.ncahs.nsw.gov.au, FOR ABOVE THREE POSITIONS:
across the continuum of care.
Applications to: Senior Medical Staff Unit, Level 4, Royal North • Liaise with GPs and community service providers to develop processes and systems to facilitate
pathologist email RecruitmentServices@mncahs.health.nsw.gov.au or
phone 1800 196 991. Shore Hospital, St Leonards NSW 2065. a more collaborative approach in relation to discharge planning and more timely and appropriate
Senior Nurse/Clinical Risk Manager – Mental Health – F/T access to primary health services.
Western Diagnostic Pathology Community Health Northern Position No: NS 5768 $1563.20–$1590.60 pw • Establish, collect data and report on key performance indicators for the rehabilitation service.
Located at Hornsby Hospital, Mental Health Service. Enquiries: Declan Contact: Dennis Holzberger on (03) 6348 7209 or email dennis.holzberger@dhhs.tas.gov.au
(Covering the communities of Tweed Heads, O'Riordan (02) 9477 9741 or 0421 059 151 or Maureen Fechter
Histopathology / Cytopathology Murwillumbah & Kingscliff)
(02) 9477 9645 or 0401 717 129. Closing: 22 July 2005. Vacancy No: 515392 (Re-advertised)
Applications are invited from Pathologists for a full time Child & Family Health Nurse – Area Clinical Coordinator – Specialist Mental Health
Sustained Home Visiting
position in histopathology / cytopathology at Western
Diagnostic Pathology (WDP).
POSITION NO. TW2005/051
Services for Older People – Temp F/T up to 30 May 2007
Position No: NS 5721 $1498.85 pw
Senior Dietitian
Temporary Full Time – for a period up to 3 years Located at Northern Sydney Area Mental Health Service, Mental Health North West Regional Hospital - Mersey Campus
WDP is the largest fully accredited private pathology (with possible extension) Services. Enquiries: Dr Doug Subau (02) 9903 8305 or Dr Nick O'Connor
Salary: $42,337 to $59,462 base range per annum (02) 9887 5591. Application Kit: Lyn Longfoot (02) 9887 5589. $54,967-$59,817 per annum
practice operating in Western Australia and the Enquiries: Ann Tippett on (07) 5506 7540,
Northern Territory. This position will be based at our Closing: 22 July 2005. • Develop, implement and evaluate nutrition and dietetics services, for the NW Regional Hospital
Email: Anntip@nrahs.nsw.gov.au
main laboratory located in Myaree WA which is Application Packages: Stephanie McDonald on FOR ABOVE TWO POSITIONS: Mersey Campus, as part of the NW Nutrition & Dietetics Service and act as a Nutrition resource
(07) 5506 7540, Email: StephanieM@nrahs.nsw.gov.au Applications to: Manager, Recruitment Services, Locked Bag 2235,
approximately 12 km south of the Perth CBD. North Ryde BC 1670 or Email: nscchjobs@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
for Mersey Campus staff.
Closing Date: 22 July 2005
Our Anatomical Pathology Department offers a full Salary and conditions are in accordance with relevant award/enterprise agreements. Contact: Ros Kirkham on (03) 6430 6597 or email ros.kirkham@dhhs.tas.gov.au
Eligibility lists are created for all vacancies. The Health Service Northern Sydney Central Coast Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer providing
range of services in histopathology and cytology follows the principles of EEO, OHS&R, EAPS and Ethical practice and a smoke-free environment. Successful applicants will be expected to abide by the Vacancy No: 514470
including fine needle biopsy and the provision of is working towards becoming a smoke-free workplace. Relevant Code of Conduct and be committed to ethical practices. Relevant criminal record
criminal history checks will be conducted prior to appointment. checks (including Child Protection checks) will be conducted on applicants
services to several major hospitals in both the private
and public sector. Our Anatomical Pathology
recommended for employment to positions within the NSW Health System.
Statewide Manager Mental Health Services
Department is accredited by the RCPA for training
Mental Health Services, Hobart
purposes and employs two anatomical pathology Salary to be Negotiated

Registrars as part of the Anatomical Pathology Training
Programme in conjunction with the Teaching Hospitals.
Qualifications: Medical degree registrable in WA
and FRCPA or equivalent specialist qualification in
Anatomical Pathology. A special interest in
cytopathology is an advantage and may lead to
appointment as Head of the Cytology Division.
Conditions: You will be admitted as an Associate
Member of the Partnership of Western Diagnostic
Pathology which includes more than 25 Pathologists,
covering all branches of pathology. Remuneration will
be in accordance with conditions applicable to the
Partners of WDP.
Duties: The provision of a comprehensive diagnostic
Specialist Anaesthetist
• As a member of the Community Support senior management team, provide leadership and
Royal Hobart Hospital direction in the development and management of Mental Health Services as a statewide service,
including the development of a strategic and business framework and the development of
policies, systems and processes to support the statewide delivery of mental health services.
Applicants are sought for the position of full-time
• Work in partnership with the State wide Clinical Director of Mental Health Services in the
www.dhhs.tas.gov.au staff Specialist Anaesthetist at the Royal development and management of clinical services.
Hobart Hospital. • Please note applications will close on 29 July 2005.
Contact: Wendy Quinn on (03) 6233 2314 or email wendy.quinn@dhhs.tas.gov.au
The Royal Hobart Hospital is a tertiary care referral
Vacancy No: 510447
centre for the State of Tasmania and a Teaching
For position and application information – visit www.jobs.tas.gov.au or email
Hospital for the University of Tasmania Medical dhhs.pd@dhhs.tas.gov.au. Forward your application by Friday 22 July 2005 (unless otherwise
School. The Australian and New Zealand College of stated) to: The Recruitment Unit, GPO Box 125, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001 or by email to
PUT YOURSELF Anaesthetists accredit the hospital for training in dhhs.recruitment@dhhs.tas.gov.au

A breath of fresh air

service in all aspects of histopathology and
cytopathology whilst ensuring that a best practice
IN THE PICTURE anaesthesia.
The Department provides anaesthesia for a wide
Image © Tourism Tasmania

service is provided which is client-focused and

responsive. range of general and subspecialty areas including
For further information: Dr Tom Grieve, neonatal, cardiac, thoracic, neurosurgical and
Ph: (08) 9317 0902. vascular surgery. There are associated Chronic Pain,
Applications quoting Reference No 34/05 to:
Hyperbaric and Diving Medicine units. There is soon
HR Adviser, Western Diagnostic Pathology,
74 McCoy Street, Myaree WA 6154 or email to: to be an expansion from nine to eleven theatres.
WDPHRAdviser@Maynegroup.com TASM A N I A - AU STR A L I A
DEPARTMENT of HEALTH
Applications close: 22 July. and HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT of HEALTH To find out more, visit our website or contact Stephen Reid
and HUMAN SERVICES
http://careers.maynegroup.com on 03 6222 8459 or email stephenj.reid@dhhs.tas.gov.au

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