Ripper launches new weapon to fight genetic diseases

12/10/05
Western Australian researchers have been handed a powerful new weapon to help de-mystify the genetic causes of diseases, with the opening of a new state-of-the-art research facility.
Officially opening the $1.6million Lotterywest State Biomedical Research facility, Deputy Premier Eric Ripper said it provided a major boost to health and medical research in WA.
"This facility further establishes WA as a global leader in investigating the genetic causes of diseases such as asthma, cancer and other disorders," Mr Ripper said.
"The combination of cutting-edge equipment in this facility offers a powerful resource for the first-class health and medical researchers of this State."
Based at Royal Perth Hospital, the facility was made possible thanks to a $4million Lotterywest grant to the four public Universities: the University of Western Australia; Murdoch University; Curtin University; and Edith Cowan University.
Mr Ripper said the facility provided the opportunity to deliver many health benefits to the community.
"Genetics plays a major role in improving the health of Australians," he said.
"This equipment will further help local researchers in their quest to identify gene sequences, as well as specific viruses and bacteria, which has the potential for faster diagnosis and treatment of disease.
"Putting technology like this at the fingertips of research groups in this State also allows us to attract and keep the world's best researchers here in WA."
The chair of the Lotterywest State Biomedical Research Facility and WA Institute for Medical Research director, Professor Peter Klinken, described the facility as vital to allowing WA researchers to compete on a global scale.
"The study of how genes are regulated holds the key to unravelling some of the mysteries of diseases affecting millions of Australians and this new equipment will speed up this process," Professor Klinken said.
Lotterywest has been an outstanding supporter of medical research in WA for many years, providing over $20million funding to support medical research in this State.
Deputy Premier's office: 9222 8788