February 11, 2010Queensland has cemented its reputation as a dynamic medical research and development hub with work this week beginning on a $179 million centre at Herston in Brisbane.
The Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Centre at Herston in Brisbane will create about 360 jobs during construction.
Premier Anna Bligh says this is “fantastic news” for research and development within Queensland.
"This centre will be home to 20 new research laboratories and staffed by 400 scientists and students,” Bligh says.
"This is a major investment which will support work on such critical areas as tropical diseases, vaccine development, cancer and genetics, and serious mental illness,” she says.
It will also see the introduction of a Mental Health Research Division with brain neuro-imaging facilities, allowing further understanding of serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.
The new centre joins the new eco science precinct at Boggo Road, the Translational Research Institute at Princess Alexandra Hospital and QUT's Science and Technology and Community Precinct which are under construction.
"New scientific infrastructure like this is making Queensland a world player in the vital areas of biotechnology, medical research and environmental research," Bligh says.
Funded by State and Federal Governments and Atlantic Philanthropies, the Centre is expected to be completed in early 2012.
