Queensland Brain Institute
The building of the Queensland Brain Institute was completed in 2007.
Founder(s)Professor Perry Bartlett
EstablishedOctober 2007 (2007-10)
MissionNeuroscience research
FocusBasic science
DirectorProfessor Pankaj Sah
StaffMore than 400
Location
Building 79, University of Queensland St Lucia
,
Brisbane
,
Queensland
,
Australia
Coordinates27°29′58″S 153°00′42″E / 27.4994°S 153.0117°E / -27.4994; 153.0117
Websiteqbi.uq.edu.au

The Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) is an Australian neuroscience research institute, located in Brisbane at the St Lucia campus of The University of Queensland (UQ). Founding director Professor Perry Bartlett AO FAA[1][2] established the QBI in 2003[3][4] with assistance from The University of Queensland, Queensland State Government, and Chuck Feeney, founder of The Atlantic Philanthropies.[5][6] The purpose-built facility was commissioned in 2004[3] and on 19 November 2007, the building was opened by former Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.[7][8]

Since 2015, Professor Pankaj Sah has been Institute director. Professor Helen Cooper is the Deputy Director (Research).

The Institute is one of nine institutes at The University of Queensland, including the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), the Translational Research Institute, and the Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB).

Overview

As one of Australia’s leading neuroscience research centres, the Queensland Brain Institute encourages interest in the wonders of the brain and support for neuroscience’s vital role in helping people to live healthier, happier and more productive lives.

Through fundamental research, QBI researchers strive to improve the world’s understanding of the brain in health and disease and to find solutions for brain disorders, diseases and injuries, including MND, dementia, depression, stroke and mental health.

History

The Queensland Brain Institute was established in 2003 as part of an initiative to develop a bioscience precinct at the University of Queensland.

Planning for the Institute effectively began in 2002 with the resolution that it would investigate the biological bases of higher brain function and its application to enhance the community’s neurological and mental health.

Since its inception QBI has grown from an initial five founding groups to a cohort of 44 scientific groups and close to 450 personnel.

Research

Professor Pankaj Sah
Queensland Brain Institute Director Professor Pankaj Sah.

Research at QBI focuses on the fundamental mechanisms of brain function and its application to brain diseases and disorders. Although most of QBI’s activity is basic science based on model systems (rodent, zebrafish, Drosophila and C. elegans) the Institute is also involved in significant research involving humans. This not only relates to clinical studies, but also to the use of humans as experimental subjects.

As of 2022, QBI focuses on five key areas:

  • Cognition and behaviour
  • Brain development and plasticity
  • Brain injury
  • Ageing and dementia
  • Mental health

The Institute houses more than 400 staff and students. Five research centres currently exist within QBI:

  • The Science of Learning Research Centre (SLRC), established in 2010[9]
  • The Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), established in 2013.[10]
  • The Asia-Pacific Centre for Neuromodulation (APCN), established in 2012[11] focuses on using deep brain stimulation to advance diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases.
  • SUSTech-UQ Joint Centre for Neuroscience and Neural Engineering, officially opened in 2020, aims, through multi-disciplinary research teams, to enhance the quality of life of people impacted by disease and damage of the nervous system.
  • Centre for RNA in Neuroscience, which aims to work at the interface between RNA biology and the development of RNA therapies for mental health and neurological disorders.

Directors

Order Name Start date End date
1 Emeritus Professor Perry Bartlett 2003 2015
2 Professor Pankaj Sah 2015 -

References

  1. ↑ "UQ praises Premier`s $20m for brain institute". University of Queensland. 22 January 2004.
  2. ↑ "Professor Perry Bartlett congratulated on CSL Florey Medal win". Ministers and Assistant Ministers for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. 12 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Premier Beattie announces Queensland Brain Institute". Queensland Brain Institute. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  4. ↑ "Queensland Brain Institute: Science's best minds in Brisbane for 'last frontier of science'". The Courier Mail. 8 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "Funding and contacts". Atlantic Philanthropies. 15 June 2016.
  6. ↑ "Atlantic's Arrival in Australia". Atlantic Philanthropies. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  7. ↑ "University of Queensland, Queensland Brain Institute". OpenBuildings. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  8. ↑ "Bligh kickstarts work on $1B 'Australian-1st' Ecosciences centrepiece". Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  9. ↑ "Science of Learning Centre". Queensland Brain Institute. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  10. ↑ "Premier opens Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research". Queensland Brain Institute. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  11. ↑ "$10 million Asia-Pacific Centre set to make Brisbane a world leader in brain research". Centre for Clinical Research. 18 March 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2017.

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