Genomic medicine uses the big data in our cells to diagnose illness, and find the right way to treat it.
In 2013, leading Victorian hospitals, research and academic institutions joined forces to create the Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance.
We wanted global genomics knowledge to inform individual care for Victorians.
First, we put genomics to use in real-world clinical care. In our studies, clinicians were able to diagnose and cure children who had been sick since birth. Some cancer patients got targeted, life-saving treatments. Genomics also became a powerful weapon in the fight against COVID-19 and superbugs.
At the same time, Alliance members laid the foundations for genomic medicine. Genomics experts trained clinicians to interpret tests and use them in patient care. Health economists proved that genomic testing could save the health system millions each year. And bioinformaticians, clinicians and software experts worked together to build a shared system for clinical genomic testing.
Now it’s time to make genomic medicine a reality for all Victorians. We’re working with the Victorian Government to embed genomics in our health system, ensure timely and equitable access to tests, and bring genomics-led investment and jobs to our state.
See our topline results, read about our work to embed genomics in the health system, and discover our clinical system for laboratories that conduct genomic testing.
Finding answers
In our studies, 19x more patients received an informative result from genomic testing than from usual care.
Changing care
1 in 2 cancer and rare disease patients who received an informative result then had a change in care.
Alliance members
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
The Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) is one of Victoria’s leading public teaching hospitals. The RMH City Campus in Parkville is a tertiary teaching referral hospital providing specialist and general medical and surgical services - including cardiac, neuroscience and oncology. The RMH also provides a major trauma service and hosts the Victorian Infectious Disease Service
The Royal Children's Hospital
The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) has been providing care for Victoria's children and their families for over 150 years. The RCH is the major specialist paediatric hospital in Victoria and extends care to children from Tasmania, southern New South Wales, other states around Australia and overseas.
The University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a global leader in higher education where brilliant minds come together to address important questions and tackle grand challenges.
We equip our students with a future-facing education personalised around their ambitions, enriched by global perspectives and embedded in a collaborative research culture. As active citizens and future leaders, they represent our greatest contribution to the world.
We engage our communities to ensure that education and research is inspired by need and for the benefit of society. In this, we remain true to our purpose and will fulfil our mission as a public-spirited institution dedicated to the principles of fairness, equality and excellence in everything we do.
WEHI
WEHI is Australia's oldest medical research institute. The institute has more than 750 researchers working to improve understanding, diagnosis and treatment for cancers, immune disorders and infectious diseases. It is affiliated with The University of Melbourne and The Royal Melbourne Hospital and offers postgraduate training as the Department of Medical Biology of The University of Melbourne. WEHI's research into the underlying causes of disease will enable better genomic tests and treatments for a range of diseases.
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Murdoch Children's Research Institute is the preeminent child health research institute in Australia, and is recognised globally for its child health discoveries. Researchers at the Institute work side-by-side with doctors and nurses from campus partners: The Royal Children's Hospital and the University of Melbourne's Department of Paediatrics. This provides researchers with greater patient interaction for research, as well as the enhanced ability to translate research discoveries into practical treatments for children.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
CSIRO is Australia’s national science agency, and one of the largest mission-driven multidisciplinary science and research organisations. Working with partners, CSIRO’s health and biosecurity research is focussed on improving the prevention, detection and response to health and biosecurity threats, providing benefit to Australia and the world. The Australian e-Health Research Centre is CSIRO’s digital health research program, enabling the digital transformation of healthcare for Australia and the world.
Australian Genome Research Facility
AGRF was established in 1997 as part of the Commonwealth Government's Major National Research Facility Program. With a 20-year track record in genomic technologies, advanced bioinformatics, and service delivery, combined with internationally recognised quality accreditations, AGRF specialises in delivering data to clinical partners to meet rigorous regulatory requirements.
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is Australia’s only public hospital solely dedicated to cancer treatment, research and education. Peter Mac treats more cancer patients each year than any other hospital in Australia. Peter Mac's highly skilled medical, nursing and allied health team is backed by the largest cancer research group in the country. Every day at Peter Mac, teams of researchers investigate cancer at the laboratory bench, in the clinic and at the patient bedside: this perpetual research cycle is unique in cancer in Australia.
Austin Health
Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services and health professional education and research in the north east of Melbourne. Austin Health is renowned for its specialist work in cancer, liver transplantation, spinal cord injuries, neurology, endocrinology, mental health and rehabilitation.
Monash Health
Monash Health is Victoria’s leading integrated health service serving the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Monash Health provides award-winning healthcare across the entire lifespan – from pre-birth, newborn babies and children, to the aged, their families and carers. Specialties include paediatrics, cardiology, women's health, kidney and pancreas transplants and intensive care for sick and preterm babies in the first few weeks and months of life. Monash Health integrates uniquely in one organisation primary, secondary and tertiary health services, as well as university-affiliated international research and teaching facilities.
Our funding
Melbourne Genomics is funded by each of its 10 member organisations and the Victorian Government.
Our current program is funded through a $35 million investment from the Victorian Government, matched by a $10 million investment from Alliance members.
Victorian Government support
The Victorian Government has provided funding support for Melbourne Genomics programs since 2014. This funding has been crucial: first to establish the clinical utility of genomics, and now to embed genomic innovation within the state’s health system.
Read about Victoria's commitment to health and medical research.