Buildings and Facilities

IHMRI headquarters 

The Institute's new building is currently under construction on the University of Wollongong campus. Scheduled to open in March 2010, the first stage of the two stage project will feature international standard PC2 and PC3 medical research laboratories, a dedicated clinical research and trials centre and modern lecture theatre and workshop space.

The $30 million first stage provides about 6,500m² of floor space over four levels, and incorporating 1,600m² state of the art PC2 modular laboratories on two floors, a specialist 35m² PC3 vaccine testing laboratory on the uppermost level and other specialist areas for molecular genetics, radioactive testing, confocal and beta-imaging microscopy and animal testing.

The modern 1,500m² clinical research and trials area incorporates exercise and aerobic testing areas, nine consulting rooms, blood collection laboratory, food preparation facilities, dialysis/treatment chairs and a DEXA body composition facility.

Stage one of the project has been jointly funded by the University of Wollongong and the NSW Government. The $20 million second stage will provide a further 4,000m² of laboratory and office floor space, expanding the overall building to about 10,500m².

Clinical research and trials unit 

IHMRI’s new building will feature a dedicated Clinical Research and Trials Unit (CRTU), a unique facility that will allow a range of clinical studies to be conducted outside of the hospital setting.

Whole room calorimeter

IHMRI is home to the only whole room calorimeter (WRC) in Australia. This facility allows a person’s energy expenditure to be calculated based on precise measurements of air samples.

The person whose energy expenditure is being measured remains in a closed room with a constant and measured supply of fresh air. Gas analysers measure the amount of oxygen they consume and the amount of carbon dioxide they produce. The balance of gases varies according to the person’s level of activity and how the person’s body uses different types of fuels (carbohydrate, protein and fat). The WRC, therefore, not only measures a person's energy expenditure, but also evaluates individual’s ability to burn different fuels.

The WRC is used for a range of clinical studies, including:

• functional food trials
• pharmaceutical trials (e.g. evaluation of lipid-lowering drugs)
• behavioural modification studies
• diet and exercise interventions
• other interventions (e.g. blood glucose levels in diabetes).