Centre’s UWA shift

PROFESSOR Lyle Palmer's Laboratory for Genetic Epidemiology has been restructured to come directly under the control of the University of Western Australia, leaving the umbrella of the WA Institute of Medical Research.

WAIMR director Peter Klinken confirmed that Professor Palmer's work, which includes the Joondalup Health Study pilot, would no longer be part of his organisation.

It is understood the laboratory is now part of the UWA's School of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, where Professor Palmer is the chair of genetic epidemiology at the Centre for Medical Research.

It is not known what this change means in terms of the direction of the health study, which has encountered some administrative delays as various parties sought to clarify ownership of the intellectual property of the project.

Joondalup-headquartered Edith Cowan University was to have been a part of the study but, to date, has not formally taken part, according to its Professor John Finlay-Jones who leads research at the institution.

Professor Palmer was overseas and could not be reached for comment. It is understood he will now report to the school's dean Professor Ian Puddey.