The Advanced Genomics Collaboration (TAGC) is a biomedical and economic powerhouse using genomics to create world-leading projects that are improving health for everyone. The work done by TAGC is making medicine faster, more targeted and more effective, plus the innovative projects we work on with our collaborators in industry, government and research are creating high growth commercial start-ups that are exporting this innovation to the world.
At its heart, The Advanced Genomics Collaboration has three core platforms. These platforms have been established to enable fast and affordable research, analysis, trial, commercialisation and application of genomics based health innovation at both global quality and scale.
Together with Illumina’s commercial expertise and global connections, the core platforms will enable the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct to capitalise on its competitive advantage in genomics research thanks to our world-leading researchers.The platforms will be underpinned by cloud-based informatics infrastructure enabling the delivery of genomics at scale for flagship and future innovation projects.
Researchers from The University of Melbourne and the Peter Doherty Institute are leading the first two flagship genomic innovation projects:
• developing new genomic-based technologies for simpler and more effective diagnosis of the most challenging to treat cancer cases, led by Professor Sean Grimmond at the University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research; and
• a novel platform to understand the varied types of disease progression of patients with COVID-19, which will help to identify best suited treatments for individual patients, led by Professor Sammy Bedoui at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.
TAGC has been designed to on-ramp additional partners and organisations from across the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct and Melbourne Academic Centre for Health (MACH) in the coming years.
The first two flagship innovation projects – led by the University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity – are examples of how partners will engage with the hub in future.
As the establishment of the genomics innovation hub progresses, and we build key research capacities, the partnership governance committees will be looking for opportunities to collaborate with research and industry partners.
The program is designed to enable collaborative pursuits of grant funding utilising the core platforms and drive exciting opportunities for student internships and placements to upskill the future leaders in genomics research and innovation.
The TAGC will provide students with the experience, understanding and drive to become the future leaders in this rapidly evolving area.
Students will gain access to Illumina’s international internship and graduate programs, providing unparalleled opportunities for students to gain hands on industry training and research in genomics – building the workforce of the future.
Keep an eye on our website for opportunities.
We are establishing the infrastructure, research and trial programs, and health services implementation research to build towards a new personalised standard of care for patients.
The genomics innovation projects have been selected for high commercial and health outcome potential. These projects are examples of the pipeline of health innovation projects that will enter the program in year three.
The liquid biopsy genomics innovation project will confirm the clinical utility of, and establish systems for, the detection and monitoring of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in patient blood samples to provide early detection, surveillance and timely detection of recurrence, as well as early detection of developing drug resistance.
The COVID-19 flagship innovation project will use genomics to provide insights into why individuals respond differently to the virus, to identify what treatment is best suited to individual patients.
The flagship health system innovation project – the Cancer of Unmet Need Initiative – provides a report for clinicians presenting information that may assist in selection of therapies according to a patient’s genomic profile.
The results may provide additional information about a tumour including which treatments may work better, clarifying what sort of cancer the patient has and identifying any inherited genetic problems that may lead cancer development.
Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as the global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture and other emerging segments. To learn more, visit www.illumina.com and follow @illumina.
The University of Melbourne is a public-spirited institution making distinctive contributions to society in research, learning and teaching and engagement. The leading international university has over 160 years experience in teaching and research. Our student body consists of 47,000 students with an International cohort of over 11,800 students from 120 countries. Learn more at unimelb.edu.au
The University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research (UMCCR) brings together University leaders committed to improving the outcomes and quality of life for people affected by cancer. Led by Professor Sean Grimmond, an international leader in cancer genomics, the UMCCR takes a personalised approach, targeting key points along the cancer clinical care pathway. Learn more at mdhs.unimelb.edu.au/umccr