News

University opens $100 million biotech R&D facility

Media Release, Thursday 9 June 2005

The Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute – the University of Melbourne’s $100 million contribution to Australia’s biotechnology R & D effort – was today officially opened by the Premier of Victoria, Mr Steve Bracks.

One of Australia’s largest biomedical research centres, the Bio21 Institute’s vision is ‘improving health through biotechnology’.

Located on Flemington Road in the University’s Western Precinct, the Institute is well-sited amidst the leading-edge biomedical research of the ‘Parkville Precinct’.

Joining the Premier and leaders from Victoria’s academic and industry research community at the opening ceremony were the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne Professor Glyn Davis, Innovation Minister Mr John Brumby and Health Minister Ms Bronwyn Pike.

Professor Davis said that the University of Melbourne is proud to be making this contribution to Australia’s biotechnology research with the new Bio21 Institute.

“The University, with its affiliated institutions, has a great tradition of making medical science history through many inspirational scientists– Frank Macfarlane Burnet, Peter MacCallum, Graeme Clark to name only a few.

“Now the University, through the Bio21 Institute, is writing a new chapter. The University and our partner institutions, will foster the opportunities that our young researchers will bring in the Bio21 Institute.

“I would like to commend the Premier and the Minister for Innovation for their valued support for this project and also all those who have contributed to making it this success.”

The Bio21 Institute, with its stunning seven-storey atrium, award-winning design laboratories and cutting edge platform technologies, brings together researchers from five University faculties – Science, Land and Food Resources, Engineering, Veterinary Science and Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences – and from major Melbourne research institutes.

Currently the Bio21 Institute houses 240 staff in 25 research groups but will expand to around 450 researchers - including industry and short term visitors - in 35 research groups across 12 disciplines later this year. There is also accommodation for honours and postgraduate students.

The Bio21 Institute’s $25 million investment in platform technologies includes Australia’s leading NMR facility, a state-of-the-art cleanroom and electron microscope facility and 12 mass spectrometers throughout the building.

The University of Melbourne has contributed $50 million to developing the Institute and Atlantic Philanthropies, $30 million. The Institute has attracted both State and Commonwealth support, with the State contributing land worth $15 million, $15 million to the building project and around $7 million for key platform technologies, and the Commonwealth, $9.5 million.

The Bio21 Institute also provides key facilities for industry, including a Business Incubator with laboratories and office space for up to 15 start-up companies, and visitor laboratories where lab space can be rented from a week to a year.

Bio21 Institute Director, Professor Dick Wettenhall says the Institute focuses on innovation and technology, innovation in research and in education and skills development, and dynamic industry engagement.

“The exciting range of the research in the Institute is well-illustrated by the work on developing low cost plastic solar panels by Federation Fellow, Professor Andrew Holmes, PhD student Trent Perry’s early warning system for resistance to insecticides, and Associate Professor Malcolm McConville’s important discovery that opens the way to new drugs to fight parasitic diseases.”