Genomics Research Centre (GRC)

Queensland University of Technology

GRC undertakes research on the genetic basis of disease through the use of its unique population resources and the application of genetic studies to monogenic and common, complex human disorders to develop improved diagnostics and therapeutic strategies. The GRC has expertise in gene mapping, the characterisation of gene dysfunction and analysis of ancient, degraded DNA. Researchers within the GRC investigate the genetic and environmental factors involved in common chronic human disorders, with a focus on the understanding of complex genetic pathways of common disorders including cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, migraine, epilepsy, ataxia, neurodegenerative disease, multiple sclerosis, and a number of cancers including lymphoma, skin and breast cancer. The GRC has significant genomic population resources for more than 10,000 participants including case-control populations and the multigenerational pedigree from the unique genetic isolate of Norfolk Island.

Website

https://research.qut.edu.au/grc/

Organisation type

• University research centre
• National collaborative research infrastructure scheme

Number of research staff

20-100 research staff

Address

60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove QLD 4059

Strengths and capabilities

• NATA accredited diagnostic testing
• Sanger Sequencing
• Next generation Sequencing (NGS)
• Short and long read sequencing
• Case-control population resources
• Norfolk Island isolated population
• Population database of molecular and epidemiological data
• Whole exome, whole genome and gene expression analyses
• Arrays, genotyping and gene panels
• Epigenetic analyses
• Ancient DNA analysis

Facilities and major equipment

• NATA accredited Molecular Diagnostic facility (PC2)
• Molecular biology research laboratory (PC2)
• Member of the TIA Qld node consortium
• Ion Torrent, Illumina and Nanopore sequencers
• MassArray system
• qPCR systems
• Ancient DNA clean facility (PC2)
• Cell culture

Lead researchers

• Distinguished Professor Lyn Griffiths – 2022 Completion of genome sequencing for the Norfolk Island population in partnership with Variant Bio for development of improved diagnostics and therapeutics; 2023 Award of Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to genetics, and to research into neurological disorders; D/Prof Griffiths is Director of the Bridge and BridgeTech nationwide commercialisation training courses running for the 8th and 7th years for the pharmaceutical industry and for the med technology and diagnostics industry, respectively. The courses are very competitive, take 80-100 applicants p/a in each and are supported by Federal Govt through MTPConnect but also through our national and international industry partners including Abbvie, Amgen, Astra Zeneca, Moderns, Roche, CSIRO for Bridge and including Bosch, Cochlear, Siemens, Stryker, Vaxxas, Magnetics and others.

Achievements of the centre

• Building on our establishment of the first NATA accredited Next generation Sequencing diagnostic service in Australia in 2013, in 2023 we developed an improved diagnostic panel for the detection of stroke syndromes, hemiplegic migraine, epilepsy and ataxia, significantly increasing diagnostic detection rates.
• Continued use of the unique genetic isolate population from Norfolk island to study common complex disorders including migraine and CVD. Returning for a new collection of longitudinal participant data in 2021 in partnership with Variant Bio to undertake extensive DNA and RNA sequencing of the population
• Development of a new ancient DNA handling facility suitable for the isolation and sequencing of highly degraded DNA from historical samples for the identification or querying of ancient remains. Currently in use for the identification of the remains of missing Australian soldiers from World Wars 1 and 2.

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

• Biotechnology
• Health and medical