New Neuroscience Research Australia Building Officially Opened

Neuroscience Research Australia’s new $54 million Margarete Ainsworth Building was officially opened in Sydney today.

The new seven-storey research building in Randwick is expected to become a central hub linking Australia’s brain research programs, the Federal Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research, Tanya Plibersek, said.
“The building, with its cutting-edge laboratories, is the first stage of an internationally-significant neuroscience research precinct that will employ 700 research staff,” Ms Plibersek said during the building’s official opening. The Margarete Ainsworth Building has room for 120 researchers and many of the organisation’s 300 researchers, staff and students have moved into its laboratories.
“The new building will provide a huge boost to Australia’s neuroscience research. “Our scientists will be able to manage mental illness research from ‘bench to bedside’,” Ms Plibersek said.
The building contains clinical research rooms, administrative offices, laboratories and space for a future sleep laboratory. Work will focus on a range of areas including alzheimers, dementia, falls, and towards finding a cure for schizophrenia. The project will link the research of NeuRA, the Black Dog Institute, the University of NSW and the NSW Government Local Health District, including the Prince of Wales Hospital and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.
Commonwealth funding of $30 million for the new building is part of the $5 billion nation-building Health and Hospitals Fund. Additional contributions included $6 million from the NSW Government, $12 million from private donors and $6 million from NeuRA’s investment strategy.