BMRI Philosophy

Our key philosophy is the recognition that few medical discoveries are made in isolation and that new and effective solutions require collaboration, a clear common purpose and an active dialogue with the wider community.

Background

Diseases of the brain and mind, including substance abuse, clinical depression and dementia, now account for more than 40 per cent of all illness. These diseases are devastating for those affected, their families and Society, costing the Australian economy an estimated $30 billion each year. Up to 1.6 million Australians, representing 8 per cent of the population, are either permanently or transiently affected by depression or other mental illnesses during the course of a year, and about 60 per cent of them do not respond to standard treatments. The challenge remains to tackle and lower the incidence of mental illness in all its forms, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. We need totally new insights that can only come from research and lateral thinking.
A recent revolution in the basic neurosciences, resulting from the increasing sophistication of non-invasive brain imaging technologies (PET, fMRI) and the success of the human genome project in identifying genes that are unique to brain function, offers hope.

Goals

• To develop new procedures, technologies or medicines that result in the prevention or cure of disabling brain and mind disorders.
• To be the leading site in Australia for provision of expert clinical assessment, investigation and innovative treatments for common brain and mind disorders.
• To contain nationally and internationally competitive major research programs in clinical and basic neurosciences.
• To provide access to major new technologies that are essential for basic neuroscience research.
• To produce products of clinical and commercial value so that revenue flows from the commercial activities to the BMRI and The University of Sydney to support continuing programs of the centre.
• To link industry and the corporate sector with research endeavours, making it easier to attract sponsorships and facilitate arrangements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
• To develop opportunities for commercial partnerships and the provision of spaces and resources to support fledgling neurobiotechnology services.

Development of the BMRI

In 2003, The University of Sydney took an important step towards harnessing the power of this revolution by establishing a unique institute devoted to the investigation and treatment of diseases of the brain and mind. The Brain & Mind Research Institute (BMRI) is the only centre of its kind in the world. It brings together patients, support groups and front-line carers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, neurologists and neurosurgeons, with a team of scientists working in neurosciences and brain research. These clinicians and neuroscientists are located together in an environment that promotes synergy of effort and sharing of ideas. Furthermore, the Institute acts as a hub for over 60 independently funded brain research laboratories at Sydney University.

The BMRI is a centre for discovery, innovation and integrative research strategies, clinical product development and actions that translate research into improved treatment and disease prevention strategies. It is designed as the flagship Institute of the Sydney University Neurosciences (SUN) and will lead SUN’s future consolidation and integration of clinical and basic sciences research and infrastructure development.

The overall mission of the BMRI is to support a unique partnership between mental health, neurology, neurosurgery and brain-related sciences by bringing together Australian and internationally renowned physicians, surgeons and scientists who are committed to excellence and high impact research combining intellectual muscle and a passion for results.

The Wider Context

The demand for medical and technical expertise relating to brain and mind disorders is rapidly growing. This is due to increasing awareness of two factors in Australia and internationally.

The first is the impact of diseases related to ageing on the brain. The greatest source of disability and primary cause of movement to assisted-care settings among older persons are brain degeneration and injury. Over 50 per cent of disability costs in those over 75 years of age can be related to these conditions.

The second factor relates to the impact of emotional and behavioural disorders among young people. Such common mental disorders account for over 60% of disability costs in those aged 15 to 34 years.

The reduction of such high levels of disability is now of major interest to the health and biomedical technology industries and also to national and state governments, the insurance industry and the wider community. A strong argument has been made for increased investment in medical research and services in Australia, and this effort has been led by academic and clinical leaders at the BMRI.

Additionally, our Institute has been at the forefront of new national structures such as Brain and Mind Australia, which enhances Australia’s research capacity by promoting new collaborative structures. The relative lack of trained health and research workforces in this area also mean that major training and education opportunities exist.

BMRI's Track Record

Government Support and Attention:

• Stage I of the BMRI (Building G for Neuroscience Research and Clinical Psychiatry and Neurology) was inaugurated in 2004 by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, Governor of New South Wales.
• Stage II of the BMRI (Building H for Advanced Biomedical Imaging) was inaugurated in 2006 by The Honourable Mr John Howard, Prime Minister of Australia.
• Stage III of the BMRI (Building F for Translational Research) was inaugurated in February 2007, by The Honourable Mr Morris Iemma, Premier of New South Wales.

Successful developments at the BMRI since 2004:

• Success at government and community-based financial support for its capital works development ($45 million).
• Success at national clinical research and infrastructure competitive grants (currently over $20 million since 2004) and Australian Government Health Services Tenders (partner to $54 million National Youth Mental Health Tender).
• Development of business-to-business partnerships in clinical practice, pharmaceutical industry practices, education services and biomedical technology development (currently valued at more then $1 million).
• Enhancement of clinical psychiatry (particularly focusing on youth mental health) and neurology services in association with Central Sydney and now South Western Sydney Area Health Services (New South Wales Health).

The BMRI is unique in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region for the following reasons:

• The scale of the enterprise and the size and scope of the investment by The University of Sydney.
• The synergies that arise from the sharing of unique facilities and the active intermixing of senior researchers from the basic and clinical neurosciences.
• The degree of support already achieved from Federal Government, State Government and private community sources.
• The fundamental commitment to the long-neglected areas of brain and mind disorders. The genuine partnerships with the wider community and particularly those individuals and families whose lives are devastated by these conditions.

History and Governance

The BMRI was established by The University of Sydney in 2003 as a direct extension of the formation of Sydney University Neurosciences in 2001. Professor Ian Hickie was appointed to The University of Sydney in 2002 and took up his appointment as Executive Director of the BMRI in July 2003. Initial research operations of the Institute (including the operations of the Ramaciotti Centre) were conducted on a variety of Sydney University sites (i.e. Camperdown and Lidcombe) as well as Rozelle Hospital.

Clinical and public health research commenced on the Mallett Street, Camperdown, site in August 2004, while basic laboratory and animal research commenced on this site in mid-2006.
The BMRI is an Institute of The University of Sydney. Its legal status and financial dealings are, therefore, within the corporate entity of the University. The Brain & Mind Research Foundation was established to raise private and government monies for the capital works and research programs of the BMRI. The inaugural chair (2004-2005) was Mr David Gonski, AO. Mr Ryan Stokes was Chairman in 2005 and he was succeeded by Mr Ken Parker in 2006. The Foundation reports its financial activities through The University of Sydney.

The BMRI is administered by the Executive Director (Professor Ian Hickie), the Scientific Director (Professor Max Bennett) and one other Director (Professor John Pollard). It reports through the College of Health Sciences to the Vice Chancellor’s Office of the University.

Research funds are administered through the Research Office of The University of Sydney, while other incomes are administered through separate accounts held by the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Medicine.