New unit set to lure array of scientists

MORE world experts in tropical health and medicine are expected to be attracted to Cairns with the opening of a new $24.5 million research centre at James Cook University.

The university officially opened the doors yesterday to its Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine at Smithfield campus.

The state-of-the-art centre is designed to be a sister building to two other AITHM facilities in Townsville and Thursday Island.

The building includes 16 laboratories and cryogenic facilities capable of storing clinical material and research samples at temperatures as low as –190C and expanded laboratory space, including a secure facility for the safe study of mosquitoes that can spread tropical diseases.

JCU vice chancellor Professor Sandra Harding said she had no doubt the institute would continue to attract major talent to Cairns.

“We know that there are people all over from, not only Australia but the world, who are very keen to work in facilities like these,” she said.

AITHM researcher Dr Andreas Kupz, who is originally from Germany, is working on a vaccine to combat the spread of tuberculosis.

“Obviously in Germany, we have great institutes, but TB is not something on our doorstep,” he said. “Here, this opens up a lot more avenues for research that we can do.”