The Kids Research Institute Australia’s new state of the art research facility within the Perth’s Children’s Hospital (PCH) has officially opened its doors, paving the way for faster bench to bedside outcomes for children.
The 10,000m2 purpose-built The Kids facility is housed on the QEII Medical Centre Campus, one of the largest centres of excellence in healthcare, research and education in the southern hemisphere.
Director of The Kids Research Institute Australia, Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM, said the Institute’s co-location with PCH and other health and research organisations would help deliver better outcomes for children much sooner.
“Being co-located within a hospital setting allows for much greater collaboration between our researchers, hospital clinicians, nurses and allied health professionals,” Professor Carapetis said.
“It will lead to a more timely exchange of research and clinical knowledge, allowing us to translate our research findings into real and tangible benefits for children even faster.
Professor Carapetis said The Kids, which was established in 1990, has grown into a world class research Institute and its new home reflected that.
“We now have more than 700 staff and post-graduate students who are working hard to prevent a range of childhood illnesses, as well as discover new treatments and cures.
“Our new facility is double the size of our old home and houses laboratory equipment that is unique to the Southern Hemisphere. It is a place that researchers from around the world will want to visit to collaborate with us.”
The Kids Research Institute Australia Chairman Mr John Langoulant AO thanked the WA State Government and the Federal Government for jointly funding the project.
“Our new home would not have been possible without the generosity of both the WA State Government in providing the building and the Federal Government in funding the fit-out and we are incredibly grateful for their support.”
“The Kids has a proud history of improving the lives of children through excellence in research and this new world class facility will enable us to continue to strive to give every child the best opportunity to enjoy a healthy and happy childhood.”
ENDS
New home facts:
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The new facility was designed by architects Woods Bagot and built by Multiplex, who recently won the 2018 Best Building Fit-Out category ($50m-$100m) at the Master Builders in Construction Awards for their work.
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Work began on-site in September 2016 and practical completion was achieved in late 2017.
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More than 750 staff, honoraries and students were moved into the new facility.
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More than a million irreplaceable samples and cell lines were moved in -80 freezers and liquid nitrogen tanks to maintain the temperature of the cells and to ensure samples were not compromised.
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The oldest sample moved was from 1984.
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The state of the art labs include over 250 linear metres of benching and unique and custom made equipment from 7 countries around the world, including USA, Canada, Germany, UK, Italy, Sweden and Singapore.