The Health and Food Sciences Precinct fosters collaboration between researchers working in the areas of biosecurity, healthcare and food technology. It has facilities for animal biosecurity research and diagnostic testing; workspaces for food science, animal nutrition, biochemical analysis and consumer and sensory analysis and a state-of-the-art pilot plant facility with an extensive range of food grade processing equipment. The precinct hosts staff from Queensland Health, and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, CSIRO and the University of Queensland through the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation. The precinct offers a pathway to access a wide range of researchers and diagnosticians from national and international universities and government agencies. This enables more effective collaborations in developing new and emerging technologies and will maximise rapid response capabilities to disease outbreak.

Website

https://www.des.qld.gov.au/science/research/precincts-projects/health-food-sciences/

Organisation type

• Queensland Government - Agency
• Queensland Government – Partner
• Part of national organisation – Government

Number of research staff

100-200 research staff

Address

39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains QLD 4108

Strengths and capabilities

• Food science and technology for temperate, sub-tropical and tropical food products
• Expertise in food safety, consumer science and flavour research
• Food products that improve our health, prevent disease and provide new industry opportunities
• Biosecurity sciences for the detection, monitoring and effective management of invasive biota
• Plant and animal biochemistry to ensure product integrity and market access through surveillance and research
• Forensics, public health and environmental science
• Virological and microbiological diagnostic testing and advice
• Whole Genome Sequencing
• Clandestine laboratory analysis

Facilities and major equipment

• Forensic and Scientific Services
• One of two food pilot plants in Australia for seafood, meat, dairy, and horticulture products
• Queensland Biosecurity Sciences Laboratories
• Chemical Residue Laboratory
• Food science, animal nutrition, biochemical analysis and consumer and sensory research
• Animal biosecurity research and diagnostic testing

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Biotechnology
• Environment and nature
• Food and agriculture
• Health and medical
• Social sciences
• Tropical