An Australian Genomics Health Alliance study led by Associate Professor Zornitza Stark (Consultant Clinical Geneticist) & Dr Sebastian Lunke (Head of Genetics & Genomics) has been published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study highlights how ultra-rapid genomic testing can transform the diagnosis and treatment of children in intensive care.
Over $33 million has been provided for genomics research to support cancer and children’s diseases. The grants are the first from the new government funded Genomics Health Futures Mission.
17 projects across Australia have received funding, including two being run by MCRI and VCGS.
Read government Media Release
Today (May 1st, 2020) marks the introduction of new Medicare item numbers for genomic testing.
This funding will support testing to help diagnose children with a suspected complex genetic condition. It allows testing for many families who would otherwise be unable to access such services.
New Medicare item numbers are available for:
Genetic carrier screening gives individuals and couples information about their chance of having a child with an inherited genetic condition, such as cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis mainly affects the lungs and is one of the most common inherited conditions in the general population.
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Champion of genomic medicine, Professor Kathryn North, has been awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia as part of the Australia Day honours.
The Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) Director and the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS) Executive Chair has dedicated her life to improving healthcare by promoting the use of genomics in mainstream medicine.
Prof North’s discoveries on genetic disorders have helped thousands, and as director of the MCRI she leads 1300 researchers, including some of the country’s superstars of genomic medicine.
Genetic counselling is one of the rarest jobs in Australia – with only 230 employed nationwide.
Genetic counsellors work in many areas of medicine, including paediatrics, prenatal, infertility, neurology, cancer and cardiology. Many counsellors work directly with patients, while others carry out research in public laboratories and for industry. Some are employed in health education.
Victorian Clinical Genetic Services (VCGS) carries out tests for hundreds of genetic conditions impacting adults and children.
Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS), the genetic testing arm of Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, has welcomed the news that it is one of the three national research institutes chosen to be part of the $20-million genetic screening project – Mackenzie’s Mission.
The Mackenzie’s Mission pilot program will screen 10,000 couples to see if they are carriers of a genetic condition that could be passed on to a child.
To mark Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day today, Thursday 8 November, we asked VCGS' Associate Genetic Counsellor Lyndon Gallacher to share his work with us >> https://www.mcri.edu.au/news/meet-vcgs-lyndon-gallacher
Want a career change - consider genetic counselling
It is one of the rarest jobs in Australia – with only 230 employed nationwide – but on Thursday 8 November genetic counselling will become a little better known when Genetic Counsellor Awareness Day 2018 is celebrated.
Victorian Clinical Genetic Services (VCGS), the not-for-profit genetic testing arm of Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, carries out tests for hundreds of genetic conditions impacting adults and children.