The Building Blocks of Better Health
Global leader in genomics, Illumina partnered with the University of Melbourne to create a biomedical and economic powerhouse for Australia by building a Genomics Hub inside our world-leading Melbourne Biomedical Precinct — The Advanced Genomics Collaboration (TAGC).
What we did
TAGC accelerated the translation of biomedical research, advanced precision cancer care procedures, and increased access to cutting-edge genomic testing and treatment options for those who need it most.
The partnership created vital infrastructure and high-skilled job opportunities, providing the capacity and resources that were needed to increase clinical sequencing activity across the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct.
Driving innovation
Supported by Invest Victoria and a multi-disciplinary network of skilled collaborators, we worked to create a pipeline of genomics-focused innovation projects which drove increased investment in Victoria.
The Cancer of Low Survival and Unmet Need (COLUMN) Initiative aims to improve diagnosis and provide more targeted and effective treatments for rare and challenging cancers.
The University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research’s clinical genomics team received support from the TAGC Innovation Fund to pioneer a less invasive way to collect tumour information from a simple blood test by deciphering small amounts of cancer-specific mutations in the bloodstream known as circulating tumour DNA (or ctDNA).
Researchers at the Doherty Institute, in collaboration with computational biologists at the Melbourne School of Engineering and the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute received a $2 million grant to better understand disease progression in patients with COVID-19.
Supporting partners
TAGC was made possible through significant assistance from Invest Victoria and the Victorian Government’s Department of Education and Training.
Invest Victoria is the State Government of Victoria's investment agency, fostering long term economic prosperity by enabling business opportunities and job creation for Victoria.
The Department of Education and Training offers learning and development support and services for all Victorians.
