Business View Oceania | September 2020

12 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA SEPTEMBER 2020 Chief Medical Officer, said. “The program will allow sharing of vital pathogen data with the use of bioinformatics across states and territories assuring that the sequencing of viral and other pathogens is not limited to this pandemic but will continue to expand in both academic research and the public health systems going forward.” Pathogen genomics can reveal information that would otherwise be missed, including rapid insights into the behaviour, spread and evolution of COVID-19. This project will have an immediate application in the investigation of outbreaks, including identification of emerging outbreaks and transmission events as part of efforts to reduce community transmission. Other benefits of genomics include the ability to identify mutations of COVID-19 in the Australian population to inform the design of treatments and vaccines, and the capacity to precisely identify persistent infection versus reinfection or inactive infection. This holds particular significance to healthcare workers and can help protect the capacity of the frontline workforce and vulnerable patients. “The CDGN has been working to establish a nationally integrated pathogen genomics initiative that will facilitate the rapid implementation of this project, ensuring national access and consistency in genomics analyses. Information on the national transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 will be important to informing future public health responses in Australia,” said University of Melbourne Professor Ben Howden, Co-chair of the CDGN and Director of the Microbiological Diagnostics Unit Public Health Laboratory at the Doherty Institute. About Illumina Illumina is improving human health by unlocking the power of the genome. Our focus on innovation has established us as the global leader in DNA sequencing and array-based technologies, serving customers in the research, clinical, and applied markets. Our products are used for applications in the life sciences, oncology, reproductive health, agriculture, and other emerging segments. To learn more, visit www. illumina.com About the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity Finding solutions to prevent, treat and cure infectious diseases and understanding the complexities of the immune system requires innovative approaches and concentrated effort. This is why The University of Melbourne – a world leader in education, teaching and research excellence – and The Royal Melbourne Hospital – an internationally renowned institution providing outstanding care, treatment and medical research – have partnered to create the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute); a centre of excellence where leading scientists and clinicians collaborate to improve human health globally. About UNSW Sydney UNSW aims to improve and transform lives through excellence in research, outstanding education and a commitment to advancing a just society. The University is one of the leading research and teaching-intensive universities in the world, known for innovative, pioneering research and high quality education with a global impact. The University offers an extensive range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs that attract students from across Australia and around the world. Visit www.unsw. edu.au This research will provide us with a better understanding of the behaviour, spread and evolution of COVID-19