New research facilities open in WA, Qld

Two new research facilities have opened their doors, one a joint venture between the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR), and the other based at the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB).

The Biomedical Research Facility, based at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Nedlands, WA, is tipped to speed up research into the genetic causes of human diseases.

WAIMR Director Peter Klinken said the facility would help accelerate research being undertaken by WAIMR, UWA and hospital staff and researchers. "It will also allow for the production of monoclonal antibodies which are used increasingly for diagnosis and treatment of human diseases, including B-cell lymphoma, certain types of breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and leukaemia," he said.

Prof Alan Pettigrew, CEO of the National Health and Medical Research Council, opened the facility this week. "This a very impressive facility that bodes well for the future of biomedical research in Western Australia," he said. The facility was funded by a $3.3 million infrastructure grant from the NHMRC.

UWA committed a further $20m to the Biomedical Research Facilities project. The university's pro vice-chancellor for research and innovation, Prof Doug McEachern, said the facility was ths first of three planned to form a "platform of excellence" for biomedical research in WA.

McEachern said the Biomedical Research Facility opened this week also boasted the introduction of an Australian-first sanitation system. "A main feature of the facility is a safer new system of decontamination, using a portable high-pressure hydrogen peroxide unit, which is a very exciting step forward," he said.

Cancer imaging

Meanwhile, a cancer facility funded by a $1.2 million grant from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) was officially opened at the UQ's Institute for Molecular Bioscience.

The ACRF Dynamic Imaging Facility for Cancer Biology -- the only one of its kind in Australia -- houses two technologically advanced microscope systems which will enable more detailed research into cancer biology.

"The work underway at this new facility is laying the groundwork for the kind of major advances in cancer research that the Australian Cancer Research Foundation is committed to funding," said ACRF trustee Tim Crommelin.

IMB director Prof John Mattick said the $1.2 million grant was testament to the ACRF's foresight and commitment to invest in leading-edge cancer research facilities, and would improve Queensland's capacity to perform internationally competitive research.

"The uniqueness of the ACRF Dynamic Imaging Facility lies in the capacity of the microscope systems to offer IMB researchers new insight into the complex chemical messages cancer cells use to 'talk' to each other," said Mattick.

UQ's deputy vice-chancellor of research, Prof David Siddle, congratulated the ACRF on a "far-sighted" commitment to funding initiatives that would help researchers to win the war on cancer. "There are a variety of agencies funding research but the ACRF is fulfilling a critical role by granting large awards for infrastructure and equipment," he said.

The ACRF has raised more than $36 million to support Australian research initiatives in its 21 years, and awarded grants totalling $6.3 million in the past two years.