Funds to boost Queensland genomics research

Queensland genomics research has been buoyed with a State Government call for applications for project funding as part of its $25 million five-year commitment to the Queensland Genomics Health Alliance.

The alliance, between Queensland Health, clinicians and the research and academic community, is managed by The University of Queensland.

UQ Deputy Vice Chancellor Research Professor Robyn Ward said the project, funded under the State Government’s Advance Queensland initiative, aimed to position Queensland as a world leader in the translation of genomics research into healthcare practice.

“I’m pleased to see the alliance take this important next step in its journey to building a stronger health system for Queenslanders,” she said.

Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said the first round of funding was open to teams of researchers and clinicians and would cover four disease-specific projects and five capability and skills projects.

“Disease specific projects will research how best to use genomic medicine to diagnose or manage patients with specific conditions or diseases,” Mr Dick said.

“As we look toward integrating genomics into everyday healthcare, the remaining projects will seek to build the capacity of the state’s health services to use clinical genomics for improving the health of Queenslanders.”

He said genomics was at the cutting edge of technology and clinicians were starting to rely on information about patients’ genes to inform decisions about care and disease prevention.

Applications for funding close on 16 December. Details can be found here. State Government release here. 

Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, 07 3346 0561.