The Australian National University (ANU) welcomed the Australian Government's announcement today of $10 million investment in the Translational Phenomics Initiative to advance critical understanding of disease mechanisms and validate approaches to new therapies.
The Translational Phenomics Initiative hosted at ANU uses discoveries made from genome sequencing to drive development of new disease models, novel diagnostics and better treatment for patients with chronic illnesses.
ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Keith Nugent said the Government's investment will significantly progress the translation of the massive amount of existing genomic data and support the broad application of precision and personalised medicine.
"Currently, we only know the significance of a tiny fraction of the human genome, and we know even less about how the genome connects to disease," Professor Nugent said.
"Phenomics relates our genome to the development of potential therapies and so is central to the emerging area of precision medicine.
"The Australian Government's investment in this critical work will go a long way to improving the lives of the millions of people who suffer from chronic and debilitating illnesses," Professor Nugent said.
The federal government funding injection complements investments from the ACT Government to support clinical research. ANU has invested more than $10 million to support research projects in precision medicine across the University.
