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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), migraine, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative disease, multiple sclerosis, oral health disorders and a number of cancers including lymphoma, skin and breast cancer. The goal is to identify genes that play a causative role in these disorders in order to develop improved diagnostics and therapeutic strategies.

Specifically, the GRC aims include:

  • The identification of the genes involved in common complex human diseases
  • The continued expansion of our extensive genomic sample repository of DNA, case-control samples, pedigree & genetic isolate populations
  • Utilisation of our genomic sample repository for population, functional, clinical and pharmacogenomic studies
  • Characterisation of gene structure and function
  • Elucidation of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions
  • The development and application of improved diagnostic techniques and therapies
  • NATA accredited clinical genomic diagnostic testing and clinical trials
  • Collaborative Industry studies for diagnostics, vaccine and therapeutic development
  • The examination of clinical material toward the development of targeted therapeutics

The goal is to identify genes that play a causative role in these disorders in order to develop improved diagnostics and therapeutic strategies. The Genomics Research Centre has developed a significant population repository including extensive epidemiological data. Clinical samples are available from ~6,000 common human disorders including CVD and cancer; 3,000 DNA samples from migraine patients; and 600 samples from Norfolk Island’s unique isolated founder population.

Researchers at the Centre participate in international collaborations with a large number of eminent research institutes including the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda (US), Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio (US), Italian National Research Council, Migraine Trust (UK), University of Vienna (Vienna), Penn State University (US), Mayo Clinic (US) and the Institute of Medical Biology (Singapore).