Medical science put under Scitech's microscope

• WAIMR and Scitech collaborate to engage community with science
• New exhibition journey of a day in the life of a medical researcher
• Scitech sets attendance record with more than 309,000 visitors in 2011-12

Science and Innovation Minister John Day has officially opened Scitech's newest exhibition, the Western Australian Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR) Think Tank Gallery.

Mr Day said the exhibition captured WAIMR's achievements in a format to help encourage the State's future scientists and innovative thinkers.

"WAIMR has created an exhibition that takes visitors on a journey of how treatments and cures are discovered by researchers at the institute," he said.

"It maps the process from DNA, to the work undertaken in the WAIMR laboratories, through to clinical trials and the eventual medication beginning to help treat and control diseases such as cancer, diabetes and muscular disorders.

"Engaging the community in science and innovation is as significant as the discoveries being made in these important areas - knowledge helps people to accept the implementation of new practices as well as opening their minds to other career paths and opportunities.

"WAIMR is internationally recognised for its outstanding research into cancer, diabetes, muscular diseases and liver disease, as well as looking at how the environment affects our health."

The Minister also congratulated Scitech on breaking its 25-year attendance record in 2011-12 with more than 309,000 visitors walking through its City West doors; numbers are on track to exceed this in 2012-13 with more than 85,000 visitors in just two months this year. 

With $9.4million from the State Government, WAIMR has established WA's first early phase clinical trials facility, Linear Clinical Research Limited, at the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre in Nedlands.

      Fact File

• WAIMR Think Tank open from today until December
• More information at http://www.scitech.org.au

Minister's office - 6552 6200