The Woolcock Institute of Medical Research

The Woolcock’s state-of-the-art Macquarie Park facility was officially opened yesterday, ushering in a new era for the world’s top sleep and respiratory research organisation.

The Honourable David Harris, NSW Minister for Medical Research, welcomed the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research to its new premises on the Macquarie University campus at a ceremony attended by more than 140 people.

The Woolcock’s affiliation with Macquarie University will open new collaborative research opportunities for its team of more than 200 medical researchers, in fields such as respiratory and sleep medicine, neurosciences and neurophysiology, dementia and neurodegenerative disorders, and lung cancer.

In opening the new facility, David Harris acknowledged the important work undertaken by the Woolcock with the support of NSW Government funding such as the Medical Research Support Program.

“The Woolcock Institute has achieved remarkable things with this funding, including groundbreaking research in sleep medicine, leading innovative treatment approaches and new technologies, and research into understanding the molecular basis and effective treatment of asthma, the disease that affects more than 260 million people worldwide,” Mr Harris said.

“With nearly a third of Australians suffering from chronic respiratory conditions and many more Australians chronically sleep deprived, it’s making a significant contribution to the care and wellbeing of people not just in NSW, but across the world.

“We want to see that terrific research continue and grow, which is why today is so important.”

The new facility will also allow the Woolcock Clinic’s more than 45 clinicians to expand their services, with comprehensive testing facilities and an 11-room sleep lab able to run both adult and paediatric sleep studies.

According to Woolcock Executive Director Professor Emerita Carol Armour, the new premises will allow the Woolcock to continue to improve quality of life for people affected by sleep and breathing disorders.

“We are so excited that the Minister for Medical Research, the Honourable David Harris, is opening our beautiful brand-new facility at Macquarie University,” Professor Armour said.

“Our new facilities will enable us to continue our world-leading research and best practice clinical care in respiratory and sleep health.”

Find out more

• Welcome to the Woolcock
• Our Research Groups