Facilities to enable research into faster detection and improved treatment of cancer will be significantly enhanced at the new Imaging and Medical facility (IM) at the Australian Synchrotron.

The Federal Treasurer, Mr Wayne Swan, has announced a grant of $36.78 million to significantly enhance the capabilities of the Australian Synchrotron.

The funding boost has been warmly welcomed by the synchrotron's director, Professor Robert Lamb. He said that the new investment by the Australian government would be used to create a National Centre for Synchrotron Science, to be located immediately adjacent to the existing synchrotron facility in Clayton. He added that this further development of the synchrotron's facilities would increase the efficiency of scientific discovery processes, while also providing opportunities for the public to more fully understand the work and achievements of the synchrotron.