The Queen Elizabeth Research Building, incorporating the Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research, will build on South Australia's push to become a health and medical research powerhouse.
Mr Rann says it will accommodate about 130 health and medical researchers investigating some of the most serious and common health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, kidney disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases and stroke.
"This new centre symbolises the commitment of the State Government to the people of Adelaide's west.
"The QEH is a key part of Adelaide's public hospital network, and the most important provider of medical services to the western suburbs.
"It is currently undergoing a three-stage redevelopment. The $40 million first stage was completed in 2005. The $127 million second stage will be completed in another three years, while planning for the third stage is underway.
"This Government is currently spending more than $650 million rebuilding our hospitals across Adelaide, and creating more bed capacity and cleaner, brighter, modern and more efficient facilities for patients and for staff.
"These major improvements across the existing system are in addition to the brand new $1.7 billion Royal Adelaide Hospital to be built at the west end of North Tce.
"The State Government is totally committed to promoting the State as a hub for health and medical researchers in their ground-breaking work to find cures for diseases.
"That is which is why we created the Health and Medical Research Fund specifically to support more medical research in SA," Mr Rann said.
Health Minister John Hill says the new centre has strong teaching and research affiliations with the Universities of Adelaide, South Australia and Flinders, creating a dynamic environment for research and research training,'' he said.
"In particular, the University of Adelaide Departments of Surgery, Medicine and Psychiatry are based on campus, and have strong research programs."
The new research facility incorporates the Basil Hetzel Institute for Medical Research, and replaces an ageing building.
Minister Hill paid tribute to Professor Basil Hetzel, one of SA's most prominent and respected medical researchers, whose work was critical to discovering the effects of iodine deficiency, which causes disease such as goitre and cretinism.
"Professor Hetzel's name will continue to be honoured through this new building,'' he said.
Minister Hill said this month marks the 50th anniversary of the QEH becoming a general hospital for the people of the western suburbs.
The first general patients were admitted to the QEH on Tuesday, 3 March 1959.
One of the first general ward patients was Mrs Linda O'Connor, from Woodville South, who was a special guest at the official opening.
Work started on the new research building in July 2007, and it was completed in December 2008 under-budget - the savings are going back into the redevelopment of the QEH.
To access go to http://www.premier.sa.gov.au/news.php?id=4410&page=1
