Biosciences Research Centre
To be located at La Trobe's Bundoora campus, the Biosciences Research Centre (BRC) is a $230 million world-class facility for agricultural biosciences research and development and is a joint venture between La Trobe University and the Victorian Government, through the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
The Biosciences Research Centre (BRC) will accommodate up to 400 staff, including scientists and support staff from DPI, La Trobe University and the private sector. It will have a major impact on the quality of scientific research to be conducted in Victoria. The facility will help to protect the State's $11.8 billion agricultural sector and will strengthen Victoria's international reputation for agricultural research and diagnostics.
Construction is expected to commence in June 2009, with the facility fully operational by April 2012.
Students can make a difference
The BRC is a $230 million investment in students' futures.
La Trobe's students, from the 2009 undergraduate intake onwards, will have access to the 'BRC option' on completion of their studies.
From 2012, honours and postgraduate students will have the opportunity to train in a first-rate facility, one of the best biosciences facilities in the world.
The research undertaken at the BRC, which students will work on, will significantly contribute to the protection of agriculture from disease threats, improve primary industries' competitiveness and sustainability, and focus efforts on addressing current challenges including climate change and drought.