Boost for UQ research infrastructure

The University of Queensland has welcomed an additional $6 million in Queensland Government funding for computational earth systems simulation and for a Cryo-Electron Microscopy facility.

The Smart State initiatives were announced today by Queensland Premier Peter Beattie at the BIO2002 biotechnology conference in Toronto, Canada.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor David Siddle said the funding represents significant assistance in two important research areas.

“$4.5 million in state government funding is to go towards the Australian Computational Earth Systems Simulator - a $13.5 million project to improve mining safety and mineral exploration through the development of high-capacity, high-speed computer models,” Professor Siddle said.

“And a further $1.5 million is going towards the establishment of a $5.2 million Cryo-electron microscopy facility, which will help researchers design and develop new drugs.

“This facility allows active compounds to be chilled to the point where they stop moving, helping researchers to construct three dimensional models. This will complement and develop further The University of Queensland’s expertise in biotechnology and molecular bioscience.”

Media: for more information on these projects contact Peter McCutcheon at UQ Communications on 07 3365 1088