The Queensland Brain Institute receives $10 million for development and expansion

The University of Queensland`s status as a centre for neuroscience excellence has been recognised with a $10 million grant to the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) in the federal budget.

Established in 2003, QBI is dedicated to understanding the molecular basis of brain function and applying this knowledge to the development of new therapeutics to treat brain and mental health disorders.

QBI Director Professor Perry Bartlett FAA said the funding comes at a strategic time for the Queensland Brain Institute.

"Work is currently under way on new purpose-built facilities for QBI, which will dramatically increase our research capacity," Professor Bartlett said.

Funds for construction of the $60 million facilities have been provided by the Queensland Government, The Atlantic Philanthropies and The University of Queensland.

"The Australian Government funding is further recognition we`re doing research that`s highly valuable for Australia`s long-term future, and it will help QBI consolidate its position as a leading centre of excellence in
the Asia Pacific region," Professor Bartlett said.

"It will also allow us to purchase sophisticated equipment that will enable us to more rapidly expand our research into cognitive neuroscience and neuro-imaging.

"Such technology will be vital if we are to address the burgeoning incidence of mental illness in the community," he said.

Professor Bartlett and Professor Brent Reynolds, a QBI Professorial Research Fellow, co-discovered neuronal precursors in the adult brain, leading to a paradigm shift in our understanding of neuro-regeneration.

This discovery provided neuroscientists with the opportunity to develop ways of stimulating the production of new functional nerve cells to overcome diseases such as dementia, stroke, Motor Neurone Disease, and head and spinal cord injury.

Media: Professor Perry Bartlett is available for comment on 0423 023 100 or contact Ron Hohenhaus on 0434 601 066