2006 - $1 million capital works grant

Feature Outcome: The construction of a dedicated new laboratory wing for Westmead Institute of Cancer Research (WICR) in the planned expanded Westmead Millennium Institute building. The aim is to consolidate all WICR units into one new building to ease the overcrowding and to increase collaboration between researchers.

Research Institution: Westmead Institute for Cancer Research, NSW

Director of Research: Professor Richard Kefford

Background / Overview: WICR is currently dispersed across the Westmead campus and operating in crowded conditions. The Breast Cancer, Melanoma, Cell Cycle, Gene Expression and Leukaemia Laboratories are housed within the existing Westmead Millennium Institute building, but the research laboratories for Gynaecological Oncology, Genetic Epidemiology, Translational Oncology and Familial Cancer are still within the Clinical Sciences corridor of Westmead Hospital.

The consolidation of all WICR units in the new Westmead Millennium Institute building will create a distinct, readily identifiable identity and physical presence. This will increase cross-discipline collaboration, foster efficiency and  help achieve positive health outcomes.

Further Details / Outcomes: Westmead Institute of Cancer (WICR) consists of nine cancer research groups, each under the direction of a senior full-time research scientist, often in partnership with a senior clinician investigator. WICR is united under its purpose: the conduct of research into the molecular and cellular basis of human cancer and leukaemia to improve the prevention, treatment and cure of these diseases.

Expected benefits of the new dedicated new laboratory wing:

The central hypothesis linking WICR research is that advances in the prevention and treatment of cancer will be achieved through the identification and characterisation of the molecular and cellular basis of common forms of this disease.

WICR’s research program is closely integrated with the clinical cancer services of Westmead Hospital and therefore has a strong emphasis on human models, cancer types common in Australia and on translational outcomes.

Types of Cancer: Breast, Leukaemia, Melanoma