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A new premises for investigating genetic and environmental causes of common human diseases such as cancer, heart disease and depression was launched at The University of Western Australia yesterday.

The Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Biostatistics, headed by Director Professor Lyle Palmer, comprises a 40-strong multi-disciplinary team of students, genetic statisticians, genetic epidemiologists, mathematicians, epidemiologists, bioinformaticists, molecular biologists, software engineers and social scientists.

It collaborates with many UWA cohort resources for genetics research, including the Busselton Health, Health-in-Men, and Raine Cohort Studies.  It is also involved in several State research groups: the Cardiovascular Disease Consortium, Sleep Health Study, Melanoma Health Study, and Twin Register.

Nationally, it has been active in leading the development of new research networks: the Australasian Sleep Trials Network, National Research Centre for Asbestos-related Diseases, and Australian Genomics and Clinical Outcomes of High Grade Glioma Project.

The group also plays leadership roles in bodies such as the International Public Population Program in Genomics and has recently been invited to lead the Australasian Human Genome Epidemiology Network Coordinating Centre - the fifth such centre internationally.

The UWA Centre for Genetic Epidemiology and Biostatistics will enable the further development and expansion of human genome epidemiology within WA, and will also meet the growing demands for allied services to support genetic research, such as a new UWA biostatistical consultancy.

Media references

Brenda Loney (PA to Professor Palmer)  (+61 8)  6488 6730
Sally-Ann Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 7975  /  (+61 4) 20 790 098