SYNOPSIS
Genomic technologies have the potential to transform how we deliver healthcare. Genomic medicine promises better patient outcomes and a more efficient health system through rapid diagnosis, early intervention, prevention and targeted therapies. However, there are significant hurdles that need to be overcome to implement genomics into routine clinical practice. Today’s Grand Rounds will explore how we deploy genomics at the Melbourne Children’s campus. We will discuss the findings from the Melbourne Genomics initiative, the health economic argument for genomics as a first tier test, the genomic sequencing capacity and analytic capability at VCGS as well as implications for RCH clinicians – the who, what, when and how do I use it at Melbourne Children’s.
SPEAKERS
Professor Andrew Sinclair is Deputy Director of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and a Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne. He is a member of the steering group for Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance, co–lead of the Australian Genomic Health Alliance and an NHMRC nominee to the Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative. He leads an NHMRC research Program focusing on Disorders of Sex Development and the use of genomic diagnosis to inform clinical care. In 2015 he was also appointed Executive Director of the Victorian Clinical Genetic Service and with the aim of implementing genomic medicine across the Melbourne Children’s campus.

Professor Graham Taylor

In 2012 Graham joined the Department of Pathology at the University of Melbourne as the Herman Professor of Genomic Medicine and Director of the Australian node of the Human Variome Project. The Department of Pathology develop and exploit genomics technology for diagnostic applications. In June 2014 Graham joined the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services as Laboratory Director, with the ambition of building on its reputation for excellence and to refocus its strategy to exploit the diagnostic opportunities afforded by new genome-scale sequencing technologies.

Dr Sue White is a clinical geneticist working at VCGS and RCH and an honorary fellow with the Department of Paediatrics. Sue’s interest is in dysmorphic syndromes and the clinical implementation of new genetics technologies. She leads the Childhood Syndromes Flagship of the Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance.