Contract Research

Our contract research has led to the discovery and development of cancer therapeutic agents and other commercial products.

Lab equipment

Why work with QIMR Berghofer?

We have developed and established a variety of mouse models, as well as specialised facilities for:

  • genomics research
  • microarray and mass-array analysis
  • transgenic and gene knockout models
  • tumour growth and infectious diseases models
  • confocal and laser dissection microscopy
  • FACS and cell sorting
  • external partners can also access several well-established and characterised tissue banks.

Core Facilities

QIMR Berghofer offers high quality integrated scientific support services that are available to external clients. Setting up a method, instrument or even an entire facility for a scientific need is an expensive process. Simplify the process and see if the bespoke scientific services that QIMR Berghofer have established can contract for the work for you and provide the results with reduced hassle.

Core Facilities List
PC3 Facility research

PC3 Platform for Respiratory and Vector-Borne Viruses

The QIMR Berghofer Emerging Viral Diseases Laboratory is one of the few Australian institutes offering contract R&D for high-containment respiratory and vector-borne viruses in our certified, state-of-the-art PC3 Facility. We provide in vivo and in vitro studies designed and customised to meet your specific research needs, supporting the development of antivirals, vaccines, and immunomodulators from early discovery through to IND-enabling studies.

Our virus and disease mouse models are designed to closely mimic human disease progression and have supported multiple high-impact programs advancing to non-human primate studies, clinical trials, and veterinary applications. Complementing our PC3 capabilities, we provide a comprehensive portfolio of PC2 models for vector-borne viruses as outlined in the table below.

The Emerging Viral Diseases Laboratory
Services
  • In vivo virus challenge models (PC3 and PC2)
  • In vitro antiviral efficacy and cytotoxicity profiling
  • Immunogenicity and vaccine response profiling
  • Mechanism of action (MOA) studies
  • Customised study design, execution, and reporting

Assay capabilities
  • Antibody ELISA
  • Virus neutralisation assays
  • Virus inhibition in cell culture (IC50) assays
  • Cytotoxicity and cytomorbidity (CC50) assays 
  • Virus titration in serum, tissue, and cell culture
  • Viral RNA quantification (serum, tissue, cell culture)
  • Histopathology and immunohistochemistry
  • RNA sequencing for enhanced virus detection and detailed MOA studies
  • Statistical Consultancy

    The Statistics Unit conducts collaborative research and provides a statistical consultancy service to support quality statistical design, analysis and interpretation of research. This team has extensive experience in the fundamental details needed to formulate your research questions. This expertise can pay dividends if enlisted early, but can be included at any stage. We can assist in writing research grants and protocols to give the leading edge or at a larger scale to support large conglomerates for day-to-day statistics or large project analysis.

    Statistical Services

    Identifying pathogenic pathways in respiratory immunology.

    Associate Professor Simon Phipps

    The Respiratory Immunology Laboratory - web graphic

    Novel mouse models of viral bronchiolitis and later asthma investigating virus-specific, immune and microbiome-related parameters. The capabilities of the Respiratory Immunology Lab include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but also extend into microbiota and immune cell development. Industry partners looking to investigate allergen responses to foods and supplements, or the modulation that can occur within the microbiome are encouraged to enquire.

    The Respiratory Immunology Laboratory

    Human microglia assay for drug development

    Associate Professor Anthony White

    The Cellular and Molecular Neurodegeneration Laboratory - web graphic

    Identifying potential new therapeutics for/and characterising brain diseases using human PBMC derived microglia and drug screening platforms. Developing drugs to target microglia, the brain’s resident immune cell, to treat neurodegenerative diseases is rapidly growing. The QIMR Berghofer Neurodegeneration lab is able to provide a rapid and cost-effective human-microglia cell-based assay generated from peripheral blood cells. Contract research on the cells can be done internally at QIMR or the ability to manufacture human microglia that can be shipped frozen and resurrected also exists.

    The Cellular and Molecular Neurodegeneration Laboratory

    Our contract research process

    We have a well-established methodology for providing contract research services:

    • create a work plan
    • develop a budget including itemised pricing
    • agree on a process for study approval
    • manage the project after approval.

    If you’d like more information about our contract research capabilities, please email:

    business.development@qimrb.edu.au.

    We’ll put you in touch with the most suitable investigator at QIMR Berghofer to develop a project plan and budget.

    Learn more about our research