South Australia’s major shared research facilities will receive new support through a $5.62 million State Government investment, ensuring ongoing access to cutting-edge research infrastructure for researchers and industry across the state.
The funding supports 12 South Australian facilities within the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) network, strengthening the state’s research capability through the recruitment of specialist expertise and investment in new and upgraded equipment.
Metabolomics SA at the Australian Wine Research Institute will receive $366,143 to establish a new Omics Accelerator, part of a $1.41 million, four-year program. The initiative will enhance diagnostics for pests and plant disease, support genetic verification of crops and honeybees, and create five specialist roles, helping move research into practical use in agriculture, environmental monitoring and biosecurity.
Professor Markus Herderich, Director of Research at the Australian Wine Research Institute, said the Omics Accelerator supports South Australia’s leading research into precision breeding, crop improvement, disease resistance and environmental monitoring.
“Capitalising on prior NCRIS investments into metabolomics, proteomics and genomics, the Omics Accelerator will position South Australia as a hub for ‘omics research, innovation and translation, fostering collaboration and economic growth beyond state boundaries, he said.
“The Omics Accelerator will fast-track the development and commercial adoption of ‘omics-based diagnostics services – from the lab to the paddock – and boost the state’s credentials in agri biotech.”
NCRIS is a national network of cutting-edge research facilities, each hosting a nationally coordinated project that provides open access to advanced equipment, specialist expertise and data and promotes collaboration between publicly and privately funded researchers, industry and government.
South Australia currently delivers seven national projects led by host institutions, including Adelaide University, Flinders University, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI). Since 2007, the South Australian Government has committed $73.1 million to support 16 South Australian NCRIS facilities, leveraging $144.2 million in cash from the Australian Government and $62.3 million in cash from the host institutions.
