Bioscience Institute to lead Queensland into a new era
The University of Queensland and the State Government today signed a $15 million funding agreement towards construction of Australia's largest biological research facility in early 2000.
The Institute for Molecular Bioscience will be built on the University's St Lucia campus in Brisbane with construction expected to be complete by early 2002.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay and the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development James Elder today signed the agreement which covers the State Government's $15 million contribution to the facility.
Professor Hay welcomed the State Government's support for the project. He said the development was internationally significant and wholly unprecedented in Queensland. It was a major beginning for the State's push into the biotechnology area.
"This new development will house 700 world-class scientists involved in biological discovery in the areas of human disease, agriculture and the environment," he said.
"It will deliver high-quality, internationally competitive research and development in molecular biosciences.
"Space and incubator facilities will be available in the complex for spinoff biotechnology companies who wish to commercialise the Institute's intellectual property and tap into University expertise."
The integrated building complex will include a $55 million University component (the Institute for Molecular Bioscience); a $45 million CSIRO component for CSIRO's Division of Tropical Agriculture and other divisions; as well as other public and private sector research groups with cognate interests. The total project value is about $90 to $100 million.
The Institute for Molecular Bioscience will include components of a number of University research centres - the Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centre for Drug Design and Development, Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis (Biological Division) - and associated research groups.
The Institute will also house the Australian Genome Research Facility and collaborating (non-University) research groups such as CSIRO, the Queensland Agricultural Biotechnology Centre and the Wesley Research Institute.
Professor Hay said the Institute for Molecular Bioscience would employ some 450 researchers, while CSIRO would have an additional 250 scientists, making a centre complex of 700 staff.
CSIRO is currently leasing the 1.6 ha site for the complex (on the corner of Carmody Road, Chancellors Place and Services Road St Lucia) from the University of Queensland. It has been at the site since 1962.
Most buildings will be razed to make way for the complex. The only original building left standing will be the recently-established $10 million high-technology Controlled Environment Facility which will form part of the integrated project.
During construction, the majority of CSIRO researchers will temporarily re-locate to the Long Pocket scientific precinct, as well as to various parts of the University, including the Centre for Drug Design and Development, and the Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology.
The University of Queensland's Property and Facilities section will be project manager for the new complex, reporting to a joint UQ/CSIRO project control group.
Following expressions of interest in the design brief, six firms of architects have been invited to compete in an international design competition for the complex, closing February 17. Entries will be judged on March 10 and a winner, and concept plans, announced shortly after.
For further information, contact Professor Hay, telephone 07 3365 1300, IMB co-director designate Professor John Mattick telephone 07 3365 4446 or IMB deputy director Dr Ian Taylor telephone 07 3365 9104.
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