Queensland University's Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) and Life Technologies Corporation have announced a strategic collaboration to study pancreatic and ovarian cancer in Australia.
This study will involve the genomic analysis of pancreatic and ovarian tumours using advanced sequencing technology from Applied Biosystems, part of Life Technologies, to further translational research.
The research will utilise genomic information to develop potential therapeutic solutions for these diseases, which kill more than 3,000 Australians each year.
Through this collaboration, the IMB is scaling up its use of Solid systems through the acquisition of nine new platforms for a total of 11 instruments.
The IMB is deploying Solid technology for its participation in the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) - an international effort comprising 11 countries and funding agencies to perform a comprehensive analysis of the genomic changes underlying eight types of cancer.
The Solid systems will be used by the IMB to study 500 pancreatic and ovarian tumours, comparing the genomic information with that of normal tissue samples.
Applied Biosystems' instrument service and support, along with bioinformatics analytical support, will also be utilised to better understand and identify the amount, kind and specific location of genetic variations within the tumours.
The Solid system will enable the IMB scientists to systematically sequence and map genetic changes that occur in each of these cancers and help provide the foundation for identifying therapies, diagnostics and preventive strategies.
In almost all forms of cancer, there are changes that affect the genome or 'genetic blueprint' of cells, causing disruptions within normal biological pathways and leading to uncontrolled cell growth.
Sean Grimmond, group leader in the genomics and computational group at Queensland University's IMB, said: 'The Solid system will enable us to conduct complete genomic surveys of cancerous tumours and better understand the factors, including structural variants and single nucleotide polymorphisms, that are promoting uncontrolled growth within the tumour.
'By discovering the genes that are the key suspects in driving a cancer, we can begin to develop targeted drug therapies,' he added.
