Melbourne Brain Centre

The Melbourne Brain Centre consists of a Centre for Translational Research at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, and two new purpose built buildings – at The University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus and the other at Austin hospital in Heidelberg..

The Mental Health Research Institute have co-located in the new buildings with researchers from the University of Melbourne, and the Florey Neuroscience Institutes.

Researchers working at the centre will investigate a broad range of conditions affecting the brain, including multiple sclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, trauma, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, epilepsy and motor neuron disease.

Over 700 scientists will work side-by-side in state-of-the-art laboratories next to world class clinical facilities. This power-house of intellectual capacity and research strength will enable the development of more effective diagnostic tools, treatments and ultimately cures for brain and mind disorders.

The size and research strength of the group will position the Melbourne Brain Centre as one of the top five centres for brain research internationally, alongside the Institutes for Neurology and Psychiatry (UK), the Janelia Farm at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (USA) and the Riken Brain Science Institute (Japan).

The Centre will play a key role in attracting leading scientists to come to Australia or retaining talented Australian researchers who might have otherwise moved or stayed overseas.

Funding for the building project was largely provided by the Federal government, the Victorian State Government, through the Department of Innovation, Industry & Regional Development and the University of Melbourne.