The Maurice Wilkins Centre produces world class research and makes exciting scientific discoveries. We harness and link New Zealand’s outstanding expertise in biomedical research to develop cutting-edge drugs and vaccines, tools for early diagnosis and prevention, and new models of disease. Our mission is to bring together scientists from a range of disciplines and research institutions to target serious human disease. Accordingly, the centre serves as a virtual hub, or point of contact, for a broad range of scientific expertise in molecular biodiscovery. Our major research focus is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, diabetes and infectious disease. By seeding high-risk, high-reward projects, we support research that is not funded by other mechanisms. Through contract research, consultancy and sharing of facilities and expertise, we have contributed to the creation and development of new companies as well as contributing to innovation within established companies. Our fundamental scientific discoveries and novel technologies enable new lines of research that advance the understanding of human disease and enable innovation in other sectors, including New Zealand’s primary industries. We are working to strategically align the research programmes and infrastructure of our investigators up and down the country. This produces synergies, and increases the efficiency and competitiveness of New Zealand biomedical research, by enabling the sharing of expertise and resources, and improving access to advanced research equipment.
