Proteomics facility opens at Bio21

Victorian Innovation Minister John Brumby officially opened a $12 million proteomics facility within the Bio21 precinct at Parkville today.

The State government has contributed one third of the cash needed to set up the laboratory, which Brumby said would build on Victoria's reputation for being a centre of research excellence.

"Bio21 aims to bring together Victoria's strengths in research to create the largest and most sophisticated network of biomedical and related research in Australia," he said. "Understanding why proteins work will lead to the development of new and highly targeted therapeutics."

The new laboratory, which is already in operation, has the capacity to undertake collaborative research with external users on a user-pays basis.

Brumby said the proteomics laboratory would be an important part of Bio21, a joint development between the University of Melbourne, the Walter Eliza Hall Institute and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The State government has committed $50 million towards the project, which has also attracted philanthropic support.