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The PIRL Facility

The PIRL Facility

The Gilles Plains site has existed to support animal research since 1971.

PIRL joined SAHMRI in September 2012 and since then has continued to grow and adapt to the needs of local, national and international researchers.

The scope and scale of facilities available for animal research was given a major boost by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) funding process in 2008. This Federal Government Programme provided the funds to allow PIRL to expand the services it can provide to the research community.

Facilities include:

  • Five large surgical theatres
  • Advanced imaging capabilities including 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography/Positron Emission Tomography (CT/PET), mobile radiography and fluoroscopy, multipurpose fluoroscopy/cardiac catheterisation laboratory
  • Surgical support areas
  • 20 acres of paddocking for the holding of large animals
  • BC1/PC2 certified paddocks, indoor holding and surgical theatres for projects involving imported material or genetically modified animals requiring this level of containment by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and/or Office of the Gene Technology Regulator

Our small animal capabilities include:

  • Small Animal Facility (SAF; conventional housing)
  • Gnotobiotic facility
  • Post-surgery progress from indoor pen holding, to undercover pens, to paddocks
  • Designated post-mortem room
  • 45-person meeting room with AV equipment
  • Computer access, office space and access to amenities (kitchen and shower) for researchers
  • Ample on-site car parking and easy access to CBD and airport