QIMR, Griffith to collaborate

The Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) and Griffith University have entered into a collaboration.

At the heart of the collaboration is the new Griffith Medical Research College, which will be based at QIMR. Griffith vice-chancellor Prof Glyn Davis said the college would be a conduit for collaboration with the staff and students of the university's $36 million new medical school, as well as researchers in other fields of biotechnology.

Davis said the research performed in Griffith's Genomics Research Centre, Heart Foundation Research Centre, Institute for Glycomics and Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies would complement the work done by QIMR scientists.

"Our goal is to drive Australia's research output to new heights and, together, Griffith and QIMR can do great things," Davis said.

QIMR director Prof Michael Good said the formal association between the two institutions would extend the scope of research into cancer, infectious disease and complex genetic diseases.

"Important discoveries in medical research invariably come when dedicated researchers with different skill sets work together," Good said. "This is an exciting opportunity to form new strategies to defeat many of the serious diseases faced by our society and people throughout the world."