A new research centre is set to improve knowledge and treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The syndrome, known also as myalgic encephalomyelitis, is characterised by profound fatigue, muscle and joint pain and an impairment of memory and concentration.

Around 250,000 Australians are believed to be affected by the disorder.

The National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases has been opened at Griffith University on the Gold Coast.

The centre is dedicated to researching the interaction between the nervous system and the immune system.

It's being opened as part of an international conference on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) that the universities hosting.

CFS expert Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik says it can be difficult to diagnose.

"There's no diagnostic tests so that's a problem in itself because there's a lack of identity, that manifests with the patient then feeling probably frustrated," she says.

"The centre we have is addressing not so much that component but truly showing it's not in your head, there's classic unique signs that give an identity to chronic fatigue."

Professor Marshall-Gradisnik says more research is needed to successfully treat CFS.

"We have to look at what's the underlying mechanism to this illness," she says.

"That's where this centre we've worked five years very hard to be the best in the world to show there are unique facets in the immune system and in the genetics of those cells."

She says making part of the centre mobile will have a big impact on research results.

"A doctor and a researchers go out ... and that's a world first in terms of the actual research that we're generating from that," she says.

The university says the centre is due to be expanded to include a specialised CFS clinic in February 2014.

Listen to Nicole Dyer's interview with ABC News journalist Joanna Crothers about her experience with CFS.

Find out more about the Griffith University National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases