About MIMR

The Federal Government’s decision to amend the stem cell research laws in December 2006 will have an important impact on our Institute’s research. It was a difficult, and sometimes a very personal decision for many politicians to make, and I know I speak on behalf of our Institute when I congratulate them for their courage in reaching such a resolution. The new laws allow scientists to generate human embryos using cloning technology under an independent oversight and licensing regime to generate embryonic stem cells specifically for research into a range of diseases as well as therapeutic drug development. In the long term, this will have far-reaching benefits for people suffering from diseases such as Huntington’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and motor neurone disease.

December 2006 also saw the end of an era, when Professor Adrian Walker retired as Executive Director and Board Member of MIMR. Adrian was a tireless and dedicated founding member of the Institute. Working with Emeritus Professor David de Kretser AC, Adrian oversaw the rapid growth and expansion of the Institute from a few labs at Monash University, to the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, to today’s incarnation. His support to me in my first year was invaluable. While he has retired from his governance duties, he is still the Director, Centre for Baby Health Research. Professor Michael Holland, Director, Centre for Reproduction and Development, has since commenced as Deputy Director of the Institute.

Moving forward to 2007, I am proud to announce MIMR’s newest Research Centre, the Centre for Pain Medicine and Palliative Care, led by Professor Colin Goodchild, one of Australia’s pre-eminent anaesthetists and pain medicine experts. I am confident Colin’s clinical and research expertise will raise the profile of this important area of medicine which will benefit sufferers of many conditions and diseases in our community.

Thank you for your interest in MIMR. While the accolades in scientific circles are an important part of our work, it is the community support and interest in our research that keeps our Institute alive.

Professor Bryan Williams
Director, Monash Institute of Medical Research