What is Melbourne Genomics?
Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance was formed in 2013 with the goal of integrating the huge potential of genomics into everyday health care.
Founding Alliance members
The Royal Melbourne Hospital |
The University of Melbourne |
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute |
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The Royal Children’s Hospital |
CSIRO |
The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute |
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The Australian Genome Research Facility |
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New Alliance members
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre |
Austin Health |
Monash Health |
Why an Alliance?
The Alliance model recognises that the implementation of genomics into everyday healthcare requires many different areas of expertise related to genetics: clinical, diagnostic, patient counselling, professional development and data management.
By joining forces, Alliance members are contributing to a seamless effort to translate the huge advances being seen in genomics into the Victorian healthcare system.
Achievements to date
For patients, the Alliance’s most notable outcome to date is an increase from 20% to 51% in the rate of diagnosis for rare genetic conditions of childhood.
To ensure patient views and experience remain at the centre of the Alliance’s work, a Community Advisory Group has been meeting with Alliance staff since Jan 2014.
The unique and world-leading collaboration among Alliance members has resulted in: a single digital repository for genomic data, a single process for assessing test samples, and common standards for testing, data handling and patient reporting.
Multidisciplinary teams (including clinicians, bioinformaticians, curators, medical geneticists and genetic counsellors) have been working through the complex process of interpreting results.
A first step to online access to genomic data for doctors and patients has been trialled. With patient consent, data has also been made available to medical researchers.
What’s next?
Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance is leading the world in taking a whole-of-system approach to the application of genomic medicine.
The Alliance’s work over the next four years will:
- Provide genome sequencing and analysis for targeted groups of patients
- Evaluate patient outcomes to identify the circumstances in which sequencing will have most benefit
- Develop the workforce needed for more widespread access to genomic testing
- Facilitate quicker adoption of the latest research into everyday practice
- Develop systems to ensure that patients and doctors have appropriate access to genomic information
- Link expertise nationally and internationally