Flinders University is establishing a $10 million automated genomics facility capable of sequencing the equivalent of up to 59,000 complete human genomes a year, providing Australian researchers with expanded capacity to investigate disease and responses to treatment.
The facility, being developed in partnership with the South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC), Bioplatforms Australia and Decode Science, will use the MGI T20x2 platform to automate DNA extraction, sample preparation, sequencing and data management.
Based at Flinders University’s Bedford Park campus in Adelaide, the laboratory is expected to provide one of the highest-throughput and lowest-cost genomics capabilities in the Southern Hemisphere.
It will operate as a national research resource for universities and research institutes, supporting large-scale analysis of genetic information to identify factors associated with disease and differences in treatment response.
The technology will use robotics to manage the sequencing process, from receiving biological samples and extracting genetic material through to preparing samples for sequencing and managing the resulting data.
SAGC scientific director and Flinders University Professor David Lynn said the facility would reduce the cost of genomic research.
“This investment will dramatically reduce the cost of large-scale genomics and help researchers move more quickly from scientific discovery to real-world impact,” Professor Lynn said.
“By analysing thousands of genomes efficiently and consistently, researchers will gain new opportunities to understand disease, improve food production and respond to environmental challenges.”
The laboratory will be hosted by the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute within the university’s Health and Medical Research Building, expanding SAGC’s existing capabilities at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).
The facility has been designed to keep biological samples and genomic data within Australia, using secure workflows, Australian-based data storage and independent cyber security review.
Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute director Professor Billie Bonevski said protecting sensitive genomic information was essential as its use in healthcare and research increased.
“As genomics becomes increasingly important to healthcare and research, protecting sensitive samples and data is essential,” Professor Bonevski said.
“Researchers can have confidence that their samples and data will remain secure and be managed in Australia.”
The facility will also support agricultural and environmental research, including studies of crop resilience, livestock genetics and biodiversity.
To demonstrate its capabilities, the university plans to hold a national competition offering eligible Australian universities and research institutes the opportunity to have a total of 5000 human genomes sequenced at no cost.
Supported by Decode Science, the competition is expected to open later this year.
SAGC was established in 2020 and has supported more than 1500 projects and 400 researchers, contributing to more than 160 scientific publications.
Add Comment