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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    NCRIS facilities in SA

    A national network of research facilities providing advanced equipment, specialist expertise and technical support.

    The National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) supports a national network of advanced research facilities that provide open access to specialist equipment, expertise and data.

    These facilities enable collaboration between publicly and privately funded researchers, industry and government, helping translate research into practical applications that benefit industry, communities and the broader economy.

    In South Australia, NCRIS infrastructure supports thousands of researchers and industry partners working across sectors including agriculture, health, environmental monitoring and advanced technologies.

    NCRIS capability in South Australia

    Since 2007, the South Australian Government, through the Department of State Development, has committed $73.1 million to support 15 South Australian NCRIS facilities, leveraging $146.7 million in cash from the Australian Government and $61.6 million in cash from the host institutions.

    These facilities strengthen the state’s research capability by supporting specialist expertise and advanced equipment, enabling researchers and industry to access capabilities that support innovation and real-world problem solving.

    South Australian NCRIS host institutions include:

    • Adelaide University
    • Flinders University
    • South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
    • Australian Wine Research Institute.

    Omics Accelerator supporting agricultural innovation

    Metabolomics SA, hosted by the Australian Wine Research Institute, has established a new Omics Accelerator to expand South Australia’s capability in advanced biological analysis.

    The initiative builds on the facility’s role within the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), supporting industry-focused research and development across agriculture, environmental monitoring and biosecurity.

    The accelerator will support improved pest diagnostics, genetic verification of planting material and honeybees, and earlier detection of plant viruses, helping South Australian industries translate research into practical and export-ready applications.

    Director of Research at the Australian Wine Research Institute, Professor Markus Herderich, said the accelerator will strengthen South Australia’s research capability and support new collaboration with industry.

    “Building on South Australia’s existing strengths in metabolomics, proteomics and genomics, the Omics Accelerator will position the state as a hub for ‘omics research, innovation and translation, fostering collaboration and new opportunities for industry," Professor Herderich said.

    “The Omics Accelerator will fast-track the development and commercial adoption of ‘omics-based diagnostic services, helping move advanced biological research from the lab to real-world applications across agriculture and biosecurity.”

    South Australia’s NCRIS projects

    Preclinical Research and Imaging Laboratories (PIRL)

    Host: South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute

    Provides access to advanced imaging technologies, including MRI and CT, to support research using large animal models of human disease.

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    Functional Genomics South Australia

    Host: Adelaide University

    Provides gene manipulation, high throughput assay services and cell line testing in a fully equipped PC2 laboratory.

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    Australian Plant Phenomics Network

    Host: Adelaide University

    Provides plant phenotyping tools, controlled plant growth environments and data analysis.

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    SA Genome Editing

    Host: South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute

    Uses cutting edge genome editing technology (CRISPR) to generate mutant mice for a wide range of applications.

    South Australian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF-SA)

    Host: Adelaide University

    Provides design, fabrication and testing of micro-scale products and devices.

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    South Australian Node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF-SA)

    Host: Flinders University

    Provides design, fabrication and testing of micro-scale products and devices.

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    Optofab Adelaide Hub

    Host: Adelaide University

    Offers fabrication services for custom optical glass with unique properties.

    Plant SynBio Australia

    Host: Adelaide University

    Provides plant synthetic biology infrastructure and expertise to support agricultural productivity and the development of new products through sustainable biomanufacturing.

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    Flinders Microscopy and Microanalysis

    Host: Flinders University

    Home to advanced microscopy, microanalysis, spectroscopy and imaging equipment, led by a multidisciplinary team of experts.

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    Adelaide Microscopy

    Host: Adelaide University

    Spanning multiple campuses, the facility operates as a single integrated Microscopy Australia node, providing advanced microscopy and microanalysis instrumentation to universities, research institutions and industry.

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    Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) - Ecosystem Surveillance

    Host: Adelaide University

    Provides field-based ecological research and land observatory using sensors, surveys, and tools.

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    Metabolomics SA

    Host: Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI)

    Provides small molecule analysis, metabolite screening and data science.

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    Clinical & Research Imaging Centre (CRIC)

    Host: South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute

    Delivers open access state-of-the-art imaging services for clinical and research purposes.

    South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC)

    Host: South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute

    Provides genomics and bioinformatics research services and analysis.

    Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics

    Host: Adelaide University

    Provides access to tissue mass spectrometry imaging and proteomic analyses.