NSW Health and Medical Research

Functional genomics capacity and capability

Luminesce Alliance

Grant:
  • Paediatric Precision Medicine
Date Funded:
  • 1 January, 2019
Chief Investigator/s:
  • Professor Patrick Tam
  • Professor Ian Alexander
  • Professor Adam Jaffe
  • Professor Robyn Jamieson
  • Professor Tracy Bryan
  • Dr. Anai Gonzalez Cordero
  • Dr. Scott Page
  • Joshua Studdert
  • Associate Professor Leszek Lisowski
Hear about the functional genomics capacity and capability project

Project summary

This initiative will see the establishment of a translational stem cell biology team and enhancements to existing infrastructure to support functional genomics capability. This will allow for the capacity for stem cell production, organoid and cell-based disease modelling and genetic modifications for applied genomics.

What is the issue for NSW?

This functional genomics initiative will mark a significant future investment for New South Wales in clinical management and research discovery in cancers and rare genetic diseases.

Outcomes will impact patients and their families by providing:

  • previously unavailable diagnoses
  • an understanding of how the disease is caused
  • clinical trials for a subset of diseases that will likely include metabolic liver disease, blinding eye disease, cystic fibrosis, mitochondrial disorders, telomere and cancer disorders.

What does the research aim to do and how?

The project aims to:

  1. establish a translational stem cell biology team to conduct research in disease modelling and therapy development
  2. expand existing functional genomics capability to include stem cell production, organoid and cell-based disease modelling and genetic modification for applied genomics
  3. enhance the genome editing capacity of the Children’s Medical Research Institute Vector and Genome Engineering Facility
  4. establish capacity in the emerging technologies of advanced cell and tissue imaging and single cell ‘omics analysis.

Read more about the work of Luminesce Alliance.

Impact for Children’s Health Report 2022 – 2023

Partnering institutions

Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI), Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (SCHN), University of Sydney (USyd), University of NSW (UNSW) and Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI).