The Menzies Research Institute is set to undergo an unprecedented transformation into Tasmania's premier health and medical research facility.

The Menzies Research Institute is set to undergo an unprecedented transformation into Tasmania's premier health and medical research facility.

Director of the Institute, Professor Simon Foote, will reveal a revolutionary new growth strategy today (Monday 5 May) at the launch of Medical Research Week in Tasmania.

Professor Foote says that the transformation of the Institute will build critical mass, resulting in a central and significant institute in Tasmania focusing on biomedical research.

"We are restructuring and expanding the Institute's areas of research to focus on both clinical and basic science. This is essential to ensure that the depth and the quality of the research at the Institute is enhanced and strengthened," Professor Foote said.

The expanded Menzies Research Institute will continue to exploit one of its important advantages, that of Tasmania's unique population resource, which has been a key factor in the Institute's success over the past 18 years.

Professor Foote said: "Tasmania's stable population, excellent genealogical records and the generosity of the community make this state a unique and ideal place to conduct ground-breaking research on common and chronic health problems.

"With its enhanced capacity and the continued support of the community, the Institute will be able to break through on key health issues and influence clinical medicine and public health guidelines here in Tasmania, as well as nationally and globally," he said.

The Institute's expanded resources and new research themes have attracted interest from other researchers around the world.

Menzies Research Institute Chairman, Dr Dan Norton, revealed that the University of Tasmania (UTAS) has provided a $5 million injection of funding, giving the Institute the opportunity to employ five new senior research fellows.

"We are very pleased that the University has recognised the Institute's potential to attract high quality researchers through this significant investment. Our new research fellows will bring diverse skills and biomedical knowledge to Tasmania, and enable us to establish new links with the national and international research community," Dr Norton said.

The matter of how health science research is organised at UTAS has been a subject of consideration for several years. Since the appointment of the Menzies Research Institute's new Board and Director in 2005, the Faculty of Health Science (FHS) and the Menzies Research Institute have been working together to progress the new strategy. 

Dr Norton said: "In addition to the five new research fellows, researchers from other parts of the University have been invited to express interest in becoming members of the Institute. Selection of the groups will take place this month."

"Furthermore, interviews for the new senior research fellows are complete, with formal announcements to be made in mid to late June," he said.

Professor Foote says that he expects that the Institute will double in size in the next six to 12 months.

"The coming year will be an exciting time for the Menzies Research Institute, and all Tasmanians should be excited about what will emerge from this process," he said.

Complimenting the expansion of the Menzies Research Institute will be a new $47.3 million building, with state of the art laboratories on a shared site with the FHS. Sharing with the FHS will enhance the Institute's links with the Faculty and help in delivering high quality undergraduate and postgraduate research education in Tasmania.

The new building will be located on the site of the current Menzies building, along with an adjacent parcel of land acquired by the University. Construction will begin in the near future and the new building is scheduled to be completed in 2008.

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