About the Laboratory for Genetic Epidemiology

Western Australia has a large number of unique population-based data sets that are ideal for genetic epidemiological research and which could quite literally put Australian researchers at the forefront of international genetic epidemiological research. It is clear that there are significant opportunities to translate WA’s strengths in clinical research and epidemiology, along with our world-class population-based resources, and linked records, into an outstanding program in genetic epidemiology. The challenge issued to our group is to foster close and sustainable statewide, national and international collaborations between clinical and scientific groups, to clearly define feasible and strategic goals, to attract adequate research funding, and to utilize and develop the extant resources into an internationally competitive research resource.

Our research focus is very much centred on the ultimate benefits of genomics for human health, on the interface between basic science and clinical impact, and on the provision of key enabling resources to the entire medical research community of WA. Examples of these core resources include facilities in medical informatics (WAGER), a national training facility in medical informatics and statistical genetics (AMBeR), core genotyping facilities on the QEII Medical Centre site, and DNA banking facilities (the WA DNA Bank). We have taken great care to ensure that all of the facilities we are constructing in collaboration with other research groups in Western Australia represent international best practice and enable the optimal use of medical research data for the public good, with the maximum possible provisions for security and privacy. We plan to continue to expand upon this ethos as we move forward in WA.