Melbourne Genomics education events, courses and other training opportunities for medical professionals and data scientists.

Education events for clinicians

Genomics in the Clinic - Online

SELF-DIRECTED ONLINE COURSES

1 October 2023 - 31 March 2024 (EXTENDED ACCESS)

  • Each ~4-hour course equips doctors to understand when and how to order a genomic test, and how the test results can inform medical decisions.
  • 3 courses to choose from – genetic conditions, oncology, and paediatric oncology
  • Only available to doctors and other health professionals employed at Melbourne Genomics member organisations

Our Genomics in the Clinic courses have been highly rated by participants and shown to improve knowledge, skills and confidence in using genomics in clinical practice across multiple specialties.

These interactive online courses are a great opportunity to catch up with the fast-moving world of genomics. Doctors, scientists and researchers can pick and choose from three course options: genetic conditions, adult oncology and paediatric oncology.

Learn at your own pace, in your own time.

(Due to popular demand, we've extended registrations and access to the materials until 31 March. Sign up now before the courses close for good!)

Seizing Genomics

IN-PERSON WORKSHOP

7 and 14 March

  • Two 45-minute in-person workshops
  • For The Royal Children's Hospital Neurology Group

We're teaming up with Dr Katherine Howell, neurologist at RCH, and Sarah Mulhern, genetic counsellor at VCGS, to run two education sessions for the RCH Neurology Children's Neuroscience Centre group meeting. These sessions will focus on using genomic tests in childhood epilepsy through the Gene-STEPS project. The Seizing Genomics sessions will use clinical cases to discuss application of genomic tests, interpreting reports, implications for patient management and communicating results to the family.

Genomics in the Clinic - Albury Wodonga

IN-PERSON WORKSHOP

8 April

  • 2-hour workshop
  • In-person
  • For paediatricians in Albury Wodonga and surrounding areas

Learn about the use of genomic testing in paediatrics, working through clinical cases with experts. This workshop will cover when to use genomic tests, eligibility for Medicare-funded tests, how to interpret test reports, and potential implications for patient management.

Practical Genomics for Medical Oncologists

IN-PERSON WORKSHOP

20 April

  • 3-hour workshop
  • Pre-reading modules open 20 March
  • For medical oncology trainees and consultants

An interactive workshop for oncologists working in adult cancer. Cancer nurses and other health professionals are also welcome!

Improve your knowledge and confidence in genomic testing in cancer. The workshop uses case-based learning with expert facilitators. Pre-workshop self-directed online learning covers foundational concepts for clinical genomic testing in cancer. Discuss accessing genomic tests and emerging technologies.

Genomics and dementia

IN-PERSON WORKSHOP

11 May

  • 3-hour workshop
  • For neurologists, GPs and healthcare professionals

An interactive workshop for neurologists, GPs and healthcare professionals working with individuals with dementia.

Expand your understanding of genomic testing in dementia through interactive case-based discussions with genomics experts. Explore the patients’ journey through genomic testing.

Talking to Patients & Families about Genomic Tests

IN-PERSON WORKSHOP

27 May

  • 2-hour workshop
  • For paediatric medical specialists using or considering using genomic tests for your patients

Looking for an opportunity to practise your skills in explaining the purpose and results of genomic tests to parents, carers, and families? Want some tips on plain language for genomics? This workshop is for you!

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Education events for medical scientists

Online learning in variant interpretation

SELF-DIRECTED ONLINE COURSES

21 November - 31 March 2024

  • Four introductory courses for those new to variant interpretation.
  • An advanced course for professionals familiar with variant interpretation
  • Complete at your own pace, with new modules coming in 2024
  • Only available to those affiliated with Melbourne Genomics member organisations

Variant interpretation is a sought-after and fast-evolving field. The introductory courses provide foundations in the principles and processes involved in variant interpretation. The advanced topics can help you move to the next level of expertise, covering concepts such as pseudogenes, mosaicism, imprinting and more to solve complex cases by closely interrogating genomic and clinical data.

The courses have been highly rated by participants and shown to improve knowledge, skills and confidence in variant interpretation.

For a short time only, you can complete these courses completely online.

Introduction to Germline Clinical Variant Interpretation

COURSE (CLOSED)

Late Jan - March 2024

  • 3 days of workshops over 3 months
  • In-person + interactive online pre-reading
  • For medical scientists who have recently moved or are ready to move into germline genomics
  • Also relevant to clinicians, researchers and data scientists involved in germline genomics

Variant interpretation is the process of finding and prioritising the variants found in a genomic test, then collecting and curating evidence to determine how likely they are to explain the cause of a condition or cancer, and identifying treatments the patient may respond to.

Learn the principles of variant interpretation and clinical bioinformatics.

Experts in the field review the online content and lead you through practical examples and case studies with peers.

EOIs are open now!

Advanced Clinical Variant Interpretation

COURSE

April - May 2024

  • 2 days of workshops over 2 months
  • In-person + interactive online pre-reading
  • For medical scientists who want to extend their knowledge and skills in diagnostic testing for rare germline disorders
  • Also relevant to clinicians, researchers and data scientists involved in germline genomics

Variant interpretation is the process of finding and prioritising the variants found in a genomic test, then collecting and curating evidence to determine how likely they are to explain the cause of a condition or cancer, and identifying treatments the patient may respond to.

This course provides an opportunity for those already practising variant interpretation to refresh their understanding of key principles and processes before applying and extending their knowledge and skills by working through advanced topics and cases.

Experts in the field review the online content and lead you through practical examples and case studies with peers.

EOIs are open now! 

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Careers events

Careers in diagnostic genomics: diverse qualifications and pathways

WEBINAR RECORDING (Co-hosted with InGeNA on 7 September 2023)

  • One-hour webinar recording
  • Hear from people working in the field –what they do, how they got there, and what they look for in new hires
  • For graduate students or those working in data science who want to hear about careers in genomics

The use of genomics in healthcare is increasing rapidly as the cost and speed of genome sequencing reduce.

This requires a new workforce, upskilled in genomics, to help meet demand. From clinicians knowing how to use the right test, for the right patient, at the right time, to medical scientists knowing how to curate, interpret and classify variants, through to bioinformaticians and other types of data scientists being able to create and continuously refine the pipelines and software to handle and curate big data.

In this webinar, we heard from three people working at the interface of genomics and bioinformatics. Different qualifications and career pathways, each contributing to the implementation of genomics into healthcare.

We also briefly outlined some of the Melbourne Genomics education programs available in clinical variant interpretation.

Whether you’re wanting to get started in translational research, curating big data in a clinical, diagnostic or research setting, or just curious about careers and opportunities in genomics there is something in this webinar recording for you.

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