Flinders University unveils $10M genomics facility with capacity for 59,000 genomes a year

Pictured: Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building by Mark Zed Photography

A new $10 million genomics facility at Flinders University is set to help researchers tackle everything from human disease to more resilient crops, with the technology capable of sequencing the equivalent of 59,000 complete human genomes every year.

Based at the university’s Bedford Park campus, the highly automated laboratory is designed to make large-scale genetic research faster and more affordable, giving Australian scientists access to one of the Southern Hemisphere’s highest-throughput and lowest-cost genomics capabilities.

The facility is being established through a partnership between Flinders University, the South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC), Bioplatforms Australia and Decode Science.

Using advanced robotics, the laboratory will automate much of the sequencing process, from handling samples and extracting genetic material to preparing samples and managing the resulting data.

This will allow researchers to analyse thousands of samples more consistently and efficiently, helping them identify patterns that might otherwise be difficult to detect.

Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building

Genomics involves studying the complete genetic information of people, plants, animals and microorganisms. By analysing this information at scale, scientists can investigate the genetic factors linked to disease, understand why people respond differently to treatments and identify characteristics that could help crops and livestock become more productive or resilient.

The technology could also support research into biodiversity and environmental health, helping scientists better understand how species and ecosystems respond to changing conditions.

South Australian Genomics Centre scientific director and Flinders University professor David Lynn said, “This investment will dramatically reduce the cost of large-scale genomics and help researchers move more quickly from scientific discovery to real-world impact.

“By analysing thousands of genomes efficiently and consistently, researchers will gain new opportunities to understand disease, improve food production and respond to environmental challenges.”

The laboratory will be hosted by the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute within the university’s Health and Medical Research Building, while also expanding the South Australian Genomics Centre’s existing facilities at SAHMRI.

It will operate as a national research resource for universities and research institutes, with biological samples and genomic data managed through secure workflows and Australian-based data storage.

Flinders University deputy vice-chancellor (research) Professor Ray Chan said, “This transformative investment in South Australia’s scientific capability will establish one of the highest-throughput and lowest-cost genomics capabilities in the Southern Hemisphere.

“It will bring together world-class expertise, advanced infrastructure and industry partnerships to accelerate discoveries that improve people’s lives and benefit communities.”

Protecting sensitive biological samples and genetic information is also a key consideration, with Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute director Professor Billie Bonevski saying researchers needed confidence that their data would remain secure and be managed in Australia.

To demonstrate the new facility’s capabilities, a national competition is planned to offer eligible Australian universities and research institutes the opportunity to have a total of 5,000 human genomes sequenced at no cost. Supported by Decode Science, the competition is expected to open later this year.

Established in 2020, the South Australian Genomics Centre is the state’s only genomics facility supported by the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy. It has supported more than 1,500 projects and 400 researchers, contributing to more than 160 publications.

The new facility adds to South Australia’s research infrastructure, with potential applications spanning healthcare, agriculture and environmental science.

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