New $1.1m cancer unit opens at the Garvan

The prime minister has officially opened the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) Unit for Molecular Genetics of Cancer at Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney.

The facility was established using a $1.1 million ACRF grant awarded last year, with the funds being used to purchase major research equipment such as a Sequenom mass array analyser and a DNA sequencer.

"What we wanted to achieve with the facility was the ability to answer any genetics-based question that we could think of in cancer research," said Dr Vanessa Hayes, project leader of cancer genetics at the Garvan Institute.

"I spent about eight months going around the country testing machines, speaking to people internationally and buying technology that could answer any question...We've bought the best that's out there. This technology will update with us."

The types of questions that the unit will be trying to answer range from predisposition and prognosis to new targets for therapy and the genetic factors that are involved in the progression of cancer from benign to aggressive disease, said Hayes.

One major advantage of the equipment purchased is that very small quantities of sample are used, allowing scientists to complete a large number of studies on the same sample.

"I'm talking about 2 nanograms with the mass array, of your DNA or RNA," said Hayes.

The Sequenom mass array analyser was initially purchased to detect genetic variance or genetic markers, however, the equipment can also be used for various other purposes. The analyser can test 768 DNA samples at once, allowing eight months of cancer research to be completed in one day.

"You're looking at a huge saving in time," said Hayes.

The DNA sequencer will enable researchers to read nucleotide sequences so they can, for example, confirm mutations, said Hayes. A real time machine has also been installed in the facility which can examine 384 individuals at a time and provides the ability to examine gene expressions.

"In doing so, we can find not only diagnostic tools, but prognostic tools, as well as therapies," said Hayes.

Robotics associated with these machines reduces the possibility of human error.

The first project that the unit will be looking at is prostate cancer predisposition.

"What we do know about prostate cancer is that it's hormonally controlled. We've started looking at the genes involved in the hormone pathways," said Hayes.

Until now the facility has only been used by investigators from Garvan and St Vincent's, however, recent funding from the Cancer Institute of NSW has allowed a facility manager and research assistant to be employed by the unit, making the facility accessible to all cancer researchers.