Crucial: Kim Carr launches the new high-tech bio-security laboratory.
ERIN PEARSON
GEELONG’S CSIRO facility is now host to the world’s most-advanced bio-security laboratory, according to federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Kim Carr.
Mr Carr opened the new facility at East Geelong last week, saying it would allow researchers from across the globe to work together on some of the world’s most dangerous diseases.
Scientists would conduct their work in the highest levels of biological containment at the CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL).
“Establishing facilities like [these] are crucial to extending our ability to deal quickly and effectively with a wide range of continually emerging diseases which can harm people, animals and crops both nationally and internationally,” Mr Carr said.
Federal Government funded construction of the Collaborative Biosecurity Research Facility through a National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.
AAHL director Professor Martyn Jeggo said scientists would use the new facility to investigate the origin and treatment of diseases harmful to humans and animals.
“There is an urgent need for a collaborative effort, commonly referred to as a One Health approach, which links human, animal and environmental health professionals together,” Professor Jeggo said.
“The One Health approach is becoming crucial with around 70 per cent of emerging diseases of humans originating in animals, for example Hendra, bird flu and SARS.”
AAHL has developed a significant international reputation as one of the world’s finest animal bioscience research laboratories.
The facility is one of the most sophisticated laboratories in the world for the safe handling and containment of infectious micro-organisms.
