Flinders University says it is establishing a new $10 million genomics facility designed to help Australian researchers study disease, develop more resilient crops and respond to environmental change by making large-scale sequencing faster and more affordable.
The university said the highly automated genomics laboratory will provide one of the highest-throughput and lowest-cost genomics capabilities in the Southern Hemisphere, with capacity to sequence the equivalent of up to 59,000 complete human genomes each year.
The facility is being established by Flinders University in partnership with the South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC), Bioplatforms Australia and Decode Science.
Based at Flinders University’s Bedford Park campus, the laboratory is intended to give researchers access to large-scale genomic sequencing at a speed and cost not previously available in South Australia, the university said.
Genomics involves studying the complete genetic information of people, plants, animals and microorganisms. Analysing this information at scale can reveal patterns that would otherwise be difficult to detect, including genetic factors linked to disease and characteristics that make crops more productive or resilient.
Flinders University said the laboratory will use robotics to manage the sequencing process, from receiving samples and extracting genetic material to preparing samples for sequencing and managing the resulting data, with the aim of enabling consistent, high-volume analysis.
In health, the university said the facility could improve understanding of why people develop particular diseases or respond differently to treatment.
In agriculture, it said the sequencing capability could support healthier and more resilient crops and livestock, and assist researchers to monitor biodiversity and environmental health.
The laboratory will operate as a national research resource for universities and research institutes, and will be hosted by the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute within Flinders University’s Health and Medical Research Building. The university said it will also expand SAGC’s existing facilities at SAHMRI.
To demonstrate the facility’s capability, Flinders University said it plans to run a national competition offering eligible Australian universities and research institutes the opportunity to have a total of 5,000 human genomes sequenced at no cost. Supported by Decode Science, the competition is expected to open later this year.
