Major boost for bioscience labs

Science

A $542,000 State Government grant will help to establish two new bioscience laboratories at the University of Adelaide.

The Minister for Science and Information Economy, the Hon. Karlene Maywald, made the announcement during a recent visit to Adelaide Microscopy in the University's Medical School.

Adelaide Microscopy is one of 14 leading bioscience laboratories located across Adelaide that currently house $30 million worth of highly sophisticated equipment and employ about 50 leading scientists. The labs are a partnership between Bio Innovation SA, the State's three universities and key research institutes.

World-renowned scientist Professor Grant Sutherland AC, an Affiliate Professor with the University's Paediatrics Discipline and School of Molecular & Biomedical Science, has recently been appointed Chair of the Adelaide Integrated Bioscience Laboratories (AIB Labs) Steering Committee.

Professor Sutherland played the leading Australian role in the Human Genome Project and has contributed to the development of genetics research at the Women's and Children's Hospital for the last 30 years.

"We are delighted to have someone of the calibre of Professor Sutherland to lead AIB Labs into the future," Minister Maywald said.

Professor Sutherland said the funding would help ensure world-class facilities were available so that researchers could make contributions of international significance.

"The development of AIB Labs will provide South Australian scientists with access to a wide range of cutting-edge equipment. These facilities should help retain some of our best brains in SA and attract leading scientists to the State to conduct research in our universities and industry."

Four early career researchers from the University of Adelaide demonstrated the work of Adelaide Microscopy during Minister Maywald's visit.

Director of Adelaide Microscopy Mr John Terlet said raising the status of the AIB Labs committee to a State Government advisory role would help ensure its continued success.

Story by Candy Gibson