New integrated genomics facility at UQ

Genetic research projects aimed at improving healthcare, food production, the environment, and developing new technologies for tomorrow will be boosted with the formation of a new integrated genomics facility at The University of Queensland.

UQ and the Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) will combine collective resources at the university to improve accessibility to cutting edge genomics infrastructure.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Robyn Ward said the integrated facility would provide a range of enhanced services to UQ researchers using genomics to solve some of the world’s toughest problems.

“This collaborative effort with AGRF will make it easier for UQ researchers to access the latest innovations and work at the leading edge of genomics research,” she said.

“The facility will be available for a broad range of research at UQ, such as genetic models of disease development, stem cell biology, regenerative medicine and drug discovery.”

In addition to consolidating genomics capability in Queensland, UQ and AGRF will create a Genomics Innovation Core for the incubation of novel technologies and methods.

The centre will foster innovation and the development new techniques, and assess emerging technologies which will be available to UQ researchers.

Australian Genome Research Facility CEO Dr Irene Kourtis said the collaboration helped create a focal point for future infrastructure and research funding.

“This is an exciting new partnership with UQ to jointly boost genomics capability and capacity that is available to the UQ community,” she said.

“AGRF looks forward to supporting UQ’s world leading genomic research programs”

Media: Stephen Love, s.love@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3343 1033; Ken McGrath, AGRF, ken.mcgrath@agrf.org.au, +61 7 3365 8815.