The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

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Building ‘break through’ heralds new era for research institute

 

This morning Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings will smash through a wall in Australia’s oldest medical research institute, signifying the expansion of exciting research programs into cancer, malaria and immune disorders.

The Parkville-based Walter and Eliza Hall Institute has been the site of a $150 million expansion and redevelopment project since December 2008. The construction of an eight-storey western wing has doubled the floor space devoted to research and will accelerate the translation of new scientific discoveries into health diagnostics, treatments and disease prevention.

Mr Jennings officially connected the eastern and western wings today, breaking through the wall separating the old and new institutes. The completed building will house up to 1000 staff and scientists.

Institute director Professor Doug Hilton said the expansion would herald a new era for the institute.

“The expansion project has allowed us to further the institute’s drug discovery programs so we can turn our discoveries into tangible benefits for people with cancer, malaria and other diseases,” he said.

One example is the broadening of the institute’s breast cancer research program to investigations of ovarian cancer and lung cancer.

“Our breast cancer program has produced several vital discoveries in the past few years that have caused a major shift in the way scientists think breast cancer develops,” Professor Hilton said. “We are now applying the approach we’ve taken with breast cancer to ovarian and lung cancer.”

Mr Jennings said the institute’s new facilities could expedite discoveries in cancer and infectious diseases, and the translation of scientific discoveries from the laboratory into the clinic.

“The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute is Australia’s leading medical research institute and has major collaborative projects with world-class pharmaceutical companies including CSL, Genentech and Abbott,” he said.

“The new facilities will further enhance the institute’s capacity to collaborate with scientific and commercial partners at the highest levels and help to ensure that Victorians and people around the world enjoy better health.”

The expansion was made possible by funding of $50 million from each of the Victorian State and Australian Governments, and $30 million from The Atlantic Philanthropies.

The new building, due to be completed in December 2010, will enable recruitment of around 400 highly-skilled scientists and support staff. The expansion project currently employs around 250 construction workers on site.

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute is Australia’s oldest medical research institute. Its researchers are working on understanding, preventing and treating diseases including cancer, particularly blood and breast cancers; autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases such as type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease; and infectious diseases including malaria, HIV and hepatitis.

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