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GenoVic – the main platform used for clinical genomic testing in Victoria – will now become Genomical and expand its user base across Australia.
The platform was released in 2019 to enable multiple laboratories to conduct clinical genomic testing. Major hospitals including The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Alfred Health now use it to conduct genomic tests for advanced cancer and rare genetic conditions.
Dr Natalie Thorne has been one of the brains behind GenoVic since its earliest days at the Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance. She will now take it forward as the Scientific Director of Genomical.
Dr Thorne said: “Genomics will soon generate more big data than astronomy, inspiring researchers to coin a new word – genomical – to convey its magnitude. Genomical was the perfect new name for our platform, which enables healthcare providers to use big data meaningfully to improve the health of all Australians.”
Genomical moves data smoothly between different analytic tools, all coordinated by a unique orchestration service. Data from each test is stored securely in the cloud, with each laboratory retaining ownership of their data.
“Genomical enables medical laboratories to analyse, store, share and use genomic data, whenever patients need it,” Dr Thorne explained.
The platform was built and validated with medical laboratories, under the guidance of Melbourne Genomics. It has supported more than 15,000 accredited tests. Regular cybersecurity audits, data sharing capabilities and a health integration engine are standard for all users.
Dr Thorne said: “We look forward to working with more laboratories, adding new types of tests and tools, and enabling the rapid expansion of genomics.”
Dr Natalie Thorne is available for interview.
Contact Amelia Rahardja on 0401 918 999 or amelia.rahardja@melbournegenomics.org.au.
The platform was initially created to support the expansion of genomic testing in Victoria. It has proven so effective that other jurisdictions are now showing interest. Genomical can contribute to a national approach to genomic information management.
No electronic medical record (EMR) or laboratory information management system (LIMS) can manage genomic datasets. Genomical takes genomic data through each step of a genomic test, stores it securely, and uses healthcare interoperability standards to make genomic reports compatible with EMRs and LIMS.
Genomical opens up the market rather than competing with existing providers. The platform interfaces with multiple best-of-breed tools used for testing and analysis. Users can choose the tools they want to use with Genomical, and change them as more advanced tools enter the market.
Users can manage high volumes of tests efficiently; store big data securely; share data with other laboratories; use their own analytics tools; and generate meaningful reports within their own lab systems. Genomical frees up time for analysis rather than administration, and includes expert support to set up and customise the platform.
Genomical is secure by design. All genomic data is stored securely in the Amazon Web Services cloud. Raw genome data is stored separately from information like names or addresses, with strong encryptions used on both sets. Each laboratory can only see its own patients’ data, and cannot share that data without a patient’s consent. Genomical also has regular security audits to stay ahead of the latest cyberthreats.
No. Current users of the GenoVic system will continue to be supported. They will also receive software updates and new functionality as it is rolled out across the platform.
The Genomical team acknowledges the Wurundjeri, Gunaikurnai and all First Nations peoples on whose lands we live and work. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present. We also acknowledge the First Nations scientists, researchers and leaders who are shaping the future of genomic medicine.
