Minister launches technology to nationalise schizophrenia research

luke
9 Mar 2010

The largest collection of schizophrenia research data in Australia has been given a technological boost with a commercial grade database worth $800,000, allowing high speed access to DNA, clinical records and brain scans for researchers.

NSW Minister for Science and Medical Research Hon, Jodi McKay MP launched the project saying, "This research bank allows for a greater level of collaboration among the many hard working researchers and clinicians across Australia who search for ways to deal with schizophrenia and for those who support people suffering from the condition".

"It's a great milestone for both Intersect and the Schizophrenia Research Institute today to come together and launch this first initiative," the Minister said.

The Australian Schizophrenia Research Bank is managed by the Schizophrenia Research Institute's University of Newcastle group, and with the help of NSW peak eResearch body, Intersect, the new system is transforming the research at a national level.

Intersect CEO, Dr Ian Gibson said, "The ASRB project has been resourced by Intersect on behalf of our university members, and is a prime example of universities investing in collaborative research". This project is about enabling research that would otherwise not have been possible. The collaborative technology also means that strong regional centres such as the University of Newcastle can lead national and international research.

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