About Us

Established in 1945 by the Queensland Government, the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) is one of the largest and most successful medical research institutes in Australia, and is recognised worldwide for the quality of its research.

Originally established to further the study of tropical diseases in North Queensland, QIMR has broadened the scope of research to include the genetic and environmental influences of a range of diseases including cancer, asthma, HIV, malaria, endometriosis and dengue fever.

QIMR is home to more than 700 scientists, students and support staff in six research departments (in 50 separate laboratories) and a corporate division. Because of its close proximity to major teaching hospitals and The University of Queensland Medical School, the Institute is ideally placed for clinical research collaborations and as a centre for research seminars and symposia.

Research Programs

• Cancer
• Infectious diseases
• Mental health and complex disorders

Research Departments

• Biology
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Computational Biology
• Genetics
• Immunology
• Population Health

We are currently housed in two buildings, the Bancroft Centre and the Clive Berghofer Cancer Research Centre, both located on the southern border of the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital complex, adjacent to the Royal Children's Hospital. A third building, the Smart State Medical Research Centre, is due to open in 2012. The new building will house another 500 scientists and support staff.

We have an active program for the patenting and commercialisation of technologies , including those developed in conjunction with academic or commercial collaborators.

QIMR also has facilities for the GMP manufacture of cell-based and molecular therapies. Co-located within the Institute is a commercial Phase I/II clinical trials facility, Q-Pharm Pty Ltd allowing QIMR scientists and external clients the extended and unique capability for taking research findings from bench to the bedside.