11 years of creating healthier futures

29 Nov 2024
11 years of creating healthier futures

South Australia's only independent, not-for-profit health and medical research institute officially opened its doors on Friday, 29 November, 2013, ushering in a new era of research excellence and collaboration across the state.

SAHMRI was created to sit at the nexus of existing SA medical research, to promote innovation, efficiencies and focus across the sector.

Below is a year-by-year snapshot of some of the significant breakthroughs that SAHMRI and its partners have delivered to create healthier futures for people everywhere.


2013 - SAHMRI’s ‘Cheesegrater’ is officially opened

SAHMRI’s research programs began in earnest following the official opening of our headquarters by then Prime Minister Tony Abbott in front of more than 1000 people on Friday, 29 November, 2013.

Find out more.


2014 - The Accord defines Indigenous research done the right way

The South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Accord was developed by SAHMRI’s Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity theme in response to a call from South Australian Aboriginal communities. It sets out nine principles by which Aboriginal health research should be conducted.

Find out more.


2015 – SA's first radioisotope production begins at SAHMRI

The first product manufactured by SAHMRI’s cyclotron was Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) which is used for cancer diagnosis, staging and monitoring. The cyclotron now produces more than 12,000 doses of FDG each year plus more than a dozen other products for clinical and research purposes.

Find out more.


2016 – Cutting-edge medical imaging accelerates SAHMRI research

Planning began for the Clinical Research and Imaging Centre (CRIC) at SAHMRI, which opened the following January. The partnership with Jones Radiology offers clinical imaging while providing SAHMRI researchers with access to the world’s most advanced CT and MRI scanners.

Find out more.

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2017 – Creating replica human brain cells

The development of Brainphys – a medium in which to reverse engineer human brain cells from skin cells – was accelerated by a Perpetual grant in 2017. The ability to use human cells in pre-clinical studies has significantly advanced research into a range of conditions including Parkinson’s Disease.

Find out more.


2018 – Omega-3 confirmed as a preterm birth prevention

SAHMRI’s preterm birth research achieved a significant milestone, with a Cochrane review showing daily omega-3 supplementation for women with a single pregnancy reduces the risk of birth before 37 weeks by 11 per cent, and reduces the risk of birth before 34 weeks by 42 per cent.

Find out more.


2019 –International trial validates new frontline leukaemia treatment

The study’s lead author described the development and testing of the drug asciminib as the biggest breakthrough in chronic myeloid leukaemia treatment this century. The trial showed asciminib is highly effective with less side effects, even in patients who’d failed to respond to several other treatments.

Find out more.


2020 – SAHMRI responds to global pandemic

SAHMRI’s independent, flexible structure enabled the institute to rapidly direct expertise and resources towards more than a dozen COVID-19-related project across basic research, clinical trials, wellbeing and health policy.

Find out more.

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2021 – World first test to measure cellular recycling in humans

SAHMRI researchers patented a test for autophagy – the system that breaks down waste within cells into molecules that can be reused – which is known to be a key factor in age-related disease The test is being used in clinical trials targeting a range of chronic diseases.

Find out more.


2022 – Nation-leading trial for Parkinson’s diagnosis

Leveraging the radiotracer F-Dopa, produced by SAHMRI’s cyclotron, and CRIC MRI facilities, SAHMRI began a unique clinical trial to build a biobank showing how dopamine presents differently in people with and without Parkinson’s, helping clinicians improve future diagnosis and treatment.

Find out more.


2023 – Established SA’s first paediatric brain tumour biobank

Brain Turbo SA will build on current knowledge of the different types of brain tumours to better understand how survivors’ health is impacted over time. Researchers will be able to show the implications specific tumour types have on various functions such as cognition, cardiovascular health and hearing.

Find out more.


2024 – World-first discovery of new cell type

SAHMRI scientists found a previously unidentified cell that has the potential to enhance the future of tissue repair and generation. EndoMac progenitors have the unique ability to transform into either endothelial cells that form blood vessels, or macrophages that are immune cells responsible for tissue repair and defence.

Find out more.

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With your help SAHMRI will continue to create healthier futures

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