Melbourne Uni and Illumina partner on genomics hub

The University of Melbourne is partnering with international genomics company Illumina to establish a world-leading genomics hub — and has received $60 million from the Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund to support the initiative.

Believed to be the first of its kind in the Asia–Pacific region, the Illumina–University of Melbourne Genomics Hub builds on a partnership that began in February 2019. Combining Illumina’s industry expertise with The University of Melbourne’s medical and scientific research, the goal of the hub is to provide improved public health outcomes through research and diagnostics in areas like infectious diseases (including coronavirus), as well as to accelerate biomedical research translation into routine clinical care, using highly targeted and personalised approaches.

“Our partnership with Illumina is bridging the gap between the genomics industry and research, placing Victoria at the forefront of the global genomics revolution to drive workforce development, research translation and the implementation of genomics into routine clinical care,” said University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell.

The hub is set to elevate local genomics research and clinical trials to a global scale by establishing three core platforms in clinical genomics, bioinformatics and health economics. It will give local researchers and businesses access to world-class technologies in these areas and support analysis of vast amounts of data to better understand the human genome and translate this to new commercial applications.

Researchers from The University of Melbourne 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 The University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research.
• 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 The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.
   

Professor Sean Grimmond, clinical genomics lead and Director of The University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, said the investment will secure Victoria’s place as a world leader in genomics and cancer research.

“Our application of genomics will transform healthcare and research, providing systems to support state-wide rollout of affordable whole-genome sequencing for cancer and critical disease patients,” Prof Grimmond said.

“Access to Illumina’s expertise will provide the guidance our researchers need to unlock Victoria’s genomics research for global biotechnology development opportunities, through real-world, practical hands-on training and sequencing experience.”

Set to be located in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, the hub will benefit from being in the presence of biomedical organisations and institutes — including the recently announced Australian Institute for Infectious Disease, leading hospitals and clinical research leaders. It will employ hundreds of medical research staff and interns and generate opportunities for local businesses and clinical trials, boosting links between industry, research and education.

“We are honoured to receive the support and investment from the Victorian Government for the Illumina Genomics Hub,” said Gretchen Weightman, Vice President and General Manager of Asia Pacific & Japan at Illumina. “This establishment will accelerate the translation and commercialisation of biomedical research in the Precinct and give Victoria the opportunity to spearhead Australian genomics innovation at a global level.”

Image caption: Professor Sean Grimmond (left) is clinical genomics lead and Director of The University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research.

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