Innovative genomic research project receives federal funding

Congratulations to Dr Christopher Gyngell on his successful grant in the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Genomics Health Futures Mission. The grant will establish a Centre for Ethics of Paediatric Genomics at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI).

The Centre, the first type of its kind to focus specifically on paediatric genomics, will be overseen by Dr Christopher Gyngell, MCRI Biomedical Ethics Team Leader and MCRI Biomedical Ethics Group Leader Professor Julian Savulescu.

Dr Christopher Gyngell and Professor Julian Savulescu

Dr Gyngell and Professor Savulescu are also members of the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Stem Cell Systems and have honorary positions with Melbourne Medical School.

The Centre for Ethics of Paediatric Genomics will bring together national and international leaders across ethical, legal, economical and clinical sectors to further research and policy in the field of genomic medicine. Genomics uses a person’s own genetic makeup to analyse and understand their disease or cancer and unlock personalised treatments that specifically target their disease.

“This research will improve our understanding of the impact of rapid genomic sequencing on critically ill children and their families, clinicians and health systems,” said Dr Gyngell.

“Genomics is revolutionising medicine. But peering into the genome of a child, even to save their life, raises especially difficult ethical questions. The Centre for Paediatric Genomics will unravel these puzzles - and help develop evidence-based advice and guidelines to improve policy and practice” concluded Dr Gyngell.

Article originally published on MCRI website.

Congratulations Dr Christopher Gyngell and Professor Julian Savulescu, members of the Centre for Stem Cell Systems, conducting research under the Stem Cells in Society research theme.

More Information

Dr Christopher Gyngell

christopher.gyngell@mcri.edu.au