All roads lead to Sydney for researchers looking to find new treatments for mental illness, neurological disorders, cancer and obesity with the launch of a brand new research centre.
Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales, today officially opened the $25 million National Imaging Facility (NIF) Research Cyclotron.
Scientists are now on site working at the facility in Camperdown, Sydney - undertaking the commissioning of the cyclotron.
The facility is a collaboration between the University of Sydney and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), and comprises:
- A new cyclotron dedicated to biomedical research. A cyclotron makes radioisotopes for molecular imaging – enabling scientists and doctors to better see inside the body and help find the causes of illness;
- Connected with the cyclotron, Australia’s most advanced radiolabelling facility will enable development of molecular probes that scientists can use to measure molecules and proteins in the body with staggering sensitivity. These probes can see to concentrations as low as a glass of wine diluted in Sydney Harbour; and
- State of the art biomedical imaging laboratories located nearby at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Research Institute (BMRI). The labs are equipped with multi-modality preclinical and clinical scanners that use the molecular probes to measure specific biological functions related to disease. A high performance computing platform then provides advanced imaging analysis and modelling.
More than 30 scientists will work under the partnership, developing new research techniques and studying diseases involving the brain.
As a node of the National Imaging Facility, the centre will be accessible to researchers from around Australia.
In addition, the centre will provide an international standard training facility for highly skilled imaging specialists, engineers and chemists.
ANSTO’s CEO, Dr Adi Paterson, welcomed the partnership to deliver better research for the benefit of the whole community.
“This collaboration between ANSTO and the University of Sydney is world-class in terms of the meeting of scientific minds,” Dr Paterson said.
“We are getting together some of the best scientists with the best technology to help improve people's health and wellbeing. This collaboration simply has enormous potential.
“This is a major foray into preventative health and reshaping ideas about disease. Here we will study the functions that preserve health in order to prevent the damages caused by disease.”
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney, Dr Michael Spence, said the opening of the cyclotron establishes Sydney as a key destination for world class neuroscience research.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with ANSTO for the benefit of scientific research,” Dr Spence said.
“The cyclotron and imaging facilities will enable scientists to gain valuable insights into complex interactions between genetics, biochemical activity and behaviour.”
The facility has received investment from the Australian Government, ANSTO, the University of Sydney and the NSW Government.
Published: 06/12/2011