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The launch of the Harry Perkins Institute has signalled a new era in medical research.

The two men in the spotlight at the opening of the impressive $122 million building in the grounds of QEII were Professor Peter Klinken, the relinquishing director of the former Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR), and his long-term friend and colleague, Winthrop Professor Peter Leedman, the director-designate of the newly-branded institute.

But as Richard Walley, in his welcome to country, called on the good spirit to guide and look after everybody at the opening ceremony, it was clear the spirits of two other men were very obviously hovering just outside that spotlight.

They were Harry Perkins himself, the former Chairman of Wesfarmers, who made what was, two decades ago, the biggest donation to medical research in Australia to establish WAIMR, and Dr Rex Joyner, former CEO of Royal Perth Hospital, who first suggested to the two young colleagues that they should set up a medical research institute.

"I hope Rex and Harry are looking down on us today and saying that those two young blokes have done alright!" said Professor Klinken.

The Perkins, as it is already known by us Australians who love to shorten a title, brings together the biggest critical mass of medical researchers ever assembled in WA.  There are already 500 scientific investigators in the new building, with another 200 soon to join them.

"Big is beautiful," said Professor Leedman. "We can now foster new and exciting collaborations all over the world. We need to be bold to make a difference in tackling heart disease, cancer and diabetes, the diseases that are taking our loved ones from us."

About 400 people gathered in the forecourt of the big blue-branded building, joined by about 30 anti-Government protestors, who kept up their chants against the Abbot government's policies on asylum seekers and the environment as the Prime Minister took to the podium to officially open the Institute.

Tony Abbott ignored the protestors as he told the guests that he was "confident that our world will be better in years to come because of the work being done in the building behind us."

Mr Abbott was the health minister in the Howard government when it was asked 20 years ago for support to establish WAIMR. The Federal Government is, once again, a partner of the Perkins, along with the State Government, UWA and the Lions Eye Institute.

Supporters include LotteryWest, the McCusker Charitable Foundation and the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation.

Chairman of the Perkins board, Larry Iffla, recognised the years of hard work that had gone into designing, building and delivering a superb 10-level light-filled collaborative centre.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Johnson, put into words the simple but vital aim of the institute: "to make a difference to the lives of people in WA and elsewhere in the world."

Winthrop Professor David Mackay, Managing Director of the Lions Eye Institute (LEI), which is also now housed in the new building, said his researchers would continue to deliver translational research to that end.

"Age-related macular degeneration has already been significantly reduced thanks to translation of LEI research," he said. "And we have recently discovered genes that are pre-disposed to glaucoma."

The Prime Minister, Professor Mackay, the State Health Minister Kim Hames and the Vice-Chancellor were all presented with ceremonial keys to the building, but the loudest and longest applause was reserved for the presentation of the final key to Professor Leedman by Professor Klinken.

As Professor Klinken rose to make the final speech of his career as director of WAIMR, the protestors began chanting again.

"Excuse me, I'm talking," he said, holding up his hand. "This is all about me, this is my last speech, this is my last day... my last one minute and 30 seconds in fact!"

Perhaps the protestors appreciated being acknowledged. They were quiet for the rest of his speech.

"It gives me huge pleasure -- huge pleasure - to hand over the keys to the Harry Perkins Institute to my friend and colleague Peter Leedman."

After an emotional embrace, Professor Leedman leapt onto the stage saying: "I feel as though I've just been given the best job in the world."

Joining Professor Mackay in illustrating the great work that is already happening at Perkins, he gave the guests the final good news of the day: a brief outline of how technology is helping to advance medical science.

"Scanning your bowel is now possible with a very tiny camera that you swallow, which could soon mean an end to colonoscopy - and you will all feel happy about that!" he said.

"With technology, we can take medical research to the next level. And we invite you all to join us on this journey."

By Lindy Brophy