Virtual brain research collaboration launched

A national collaboration in brain research has been launched using a virtual Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE).

The launch of Brain Research New Zealand (BRNZ) involves academics and leaders from the University of Auckland, Otago University, the University of Canterbury and Auckland University of Technology.

This CoRE aims to unlock the mysteries of the ageing brain to develop treatments that improve the quality of life of senior New Zealanders.

Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce spoke at the launch on the nine-year trajectory the CoRE partners had to go through to obtain the governmental funding of $29.8 million.

He also highlighted the importance of CoREs as a meaningful catalyst for increasing the quality of New Zealand based research through networking and collaboration across the tertiary sector.

Distinguished Professor Richard Faull from the Centre for Brain Research and Professor Cliffe Abrahams from the University of Otago co-hosted the launch as codirectors of BRNZ.

The virtual centre will translate scientific findings into new treatments, therapies and interventions to deliver innovative solutions for ageing-related brain disorders in New Zealand. Additional partnerships will produce world class collaborative research across the nation.