Genomics and Precision Medicine

Clinical Academic Group

About the Group

The Genomics and Precision Medicine Partnership Clinical Academic Group (CAG) encompasses a unique group of leaders in genomic medicine, subspecialty medical areas and education, consumers, policymakers, and implementation science collaborators.

Precision medicine is a tailored approach to health, incorporating an individual’s genetic make-up, environment, and lifestyle. It is a new frontier offering much promise for disease prevention and cure.

Recent advances in precision medicine have been driven by rapid progress in genomic sequencing, and advanced therapeutics such as gene therapies for ocular, neuromuscular, oncology and other disease areas. These are already being delivered in NSW, with the first publicly funded, TGA-approved gene therapies at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.

However, there remain significant barriers to broader translation of precision medicine into healthcare. These include:

  • lack of equitable patient access to genomic diagnosis which is a prerequisite for various precision genetic therapies
  • lack of appropriate systems for access to and implementation of precision therapies and clinical trials

Objectives

  • Develop a translational research approach focussing on genomic multidisciplinary models of care, genomic upskilling and education, and integration into non-genetics specialties
  • Build capacity and capabilities for better patient access to genomics and precision medicine
  • Develop sustainable and scalable models of care for implementation of precision medicine in clinical trials and therapy pathways

Projects

  • Development of an evidence-based precision medicine multidisciplinary model that can be scaled and adapted for improving uptake of genomics and precision medicine into areas of medical practice

Activities

  • Training, Mentoring and Workshops
  • Identifying and providing input into key genomics and precision medicine activities and resources across precincts including the inherited retinal disease pathways and resources recently published by ACI. It is an interactive digital tool for ophthalmologists to follow clinical diagnosis, referral to local genetics, genetic diagnosis, referral to OcularGen MDT and Luxturna gene therapy.

Leadership Team

  • Clin. A/Prof. Yemima Berman

    Co-Chair

  • Dr Alan Ma

    Co-Chair

  • Clin. Prof. Bruce Bennetts

  • Emma Bonser

  • Prof. John Grigg

  • Prof. Robyn Jamieson

  • Clin. Prof. Kristi Jones

  • Dr Amali Mallawaarachchi

  • Dr Hugh McCarthy

  • Dr Rosie O’Shea

  • Clin. A/Prof. Natalie Silove

  • Dr Ingrid Sinnerbrink

  • Dr Michel Tchan

Disciplines represented in the leadership team

Genomic Medicine, Ophthalmology, Paediatrics, Women's Health and Family Medicine, Nephrology, Metabolic Medicine, Neurogenetics, Implementation Science, Diagnostic Genomics

Get Involved

Want to find out more? Please get in touch!

Contact the CAG (link opens in a new window)