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Construction of the $112 million medical research facility at QE II has begun, along with a proposal by UWA's SPICE program to support its schools outreach program there.

The building project is the result of significant State and national collaborations led by UWA and the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR ).

The builders have started sinking foundations for the 10-storey research hub, which will be home to 450 staff from UWA and WAIMR, as well as several other research organisations.

When completed in 2013, the building will house six levels of laboratory and clinical research space, two floors of shared facilities, and public areas encouraging greater understanding of innovative medical research.

"This facility will bring together laboratory-based scientists and clinical researchers," said WAIMR Director, Professor Peter Klinken. "Our research teams are already making amazing discoveries which will lead to future treatments for cancers, diabetes, muscular diseases, liver disease and more. In just two years, this well-equipped facility will be helping us fulfil our vision."

The new medical research facility has been funded primarily by UWA ($25 million), the Western Australian Government ($25 million) and the Federal Government ($50 million). The Lions Eye Institute provided vital support, while the QEII Medical Centre Trust leased the land to WAIMR . The North Metropolitan Area Health Service is facilitating the development. Funding has also come from Lotterywest ($5.4 million) and the McCusker Charitable Foundation ($1.5 million).

It is part of the expansion of the QEII Medical Centre into one of the biggest medical, research and education facilities in Australia.

Professor Klinken told guests at the building commencement ceremony last month that the research headquarters would be an important centre for the community. Lotterywest funding would go towards interactive areas on the ground floor to UWA keen to add SPICE to new medical facility ensure the public was kept up to date with the latest advances in medical research into new treatments and cures for various diseases.

"The funding from Lotterywest will help us to educate secondary school science students and teachers through a demonstration laboratory and allow community groups to interact with us," Professor Klinken said.

UWA's Dr Jan Dook, Associate Professor in Science Communication, is keen for UWA's secondary schools outreach program SPICE to collaborate with WAIMR in the education facility.

"We have the schools network, WAIMR has the research and medical expertise and the space," A/Professor Dook said. "Together we could have a great school program."

She said SPICE was keen to have a laboratory and a practical space where teachers and students could do ‘high end' experiments that relate to the high school curriculum. "Most schools would not have access to the equipment and resources that would be available," she said. "And it would be really good for advanced students to get involved in research." A/Professor Dook said no arrangements were settled but that Professor Klinken and WAIMR deputy director Professor Peter Leedman were both supportive of the concept.

Published in UWA News , 13 June 2011