The Australian Functional Genomics Network (AFGN) is a collaboration between clinical geneticists and research scientists. Our aim is to enhance the understanding of the genetic basis of rare disease and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families through the coordination of functional genomics and clinical management in Australia.

Funded by the Medical Research Future Fund, the AFGN will distribute $5 million in catalyst funding to functional genomic studies from 2021 to 2026. The Network also welcomes proposals from other organisations, such as rare disease foundations, interested in funding specific catalyst grants in targeted areas.

Contact us at: functional.genomics@mcri.edu.au

We are part of an international Network of initiatives across Canada, Europe and Japan. The partner networks are connected by our Researcher Registry infrastructure, developed by the Rare Disease Model & Mechanisms Network (RDMM-Canada), allowing us to foster international connections and further expand the potential of clinical gene discoveries.

Connection applications are submitted to the Network and evaluated by the Clinical Review Committee (CRC). If approved, the Scientific Review Committee (SRC) will establish a connection with researchers in the Australian Functional Genomics Registry and invite them to submit a study proposal. For successful applications, research teams will receive catalyst funding of up to $60,000 to seed immediate collaborative experiments.

Steering committee

Prof Sally Dunwoodie (Co-chair)

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

Prof Andrew Sinclair (Co-chair)

Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Prof Bruce Bennetts

Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

Prof Robert Bryson-Richardson

Monash University

Prof Jozef Gecz

The University of Adelaide

Assoc Prof Kristi Jones

Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

Dr Tessa Mattiske

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Dr Nathan Palpant

The University of Queensland

Assoc Prof Kelly Smith

The University of Melbourne

Prof Ian Smyth

Monash University

Prof Zornitza Stark

Victorian Clinical Genetics Services

Prof Patrick Tam

Children's Medical Research Institute

Prof Paul Thomas

The University of Adelaide

Prof Coral Warr

La Trobe University

Clinical Review Committee

Prof Zornitza Stark (Co-chair)

Victorian Clinical Genetics Services

Assoc Prof Kristi Jones (Co-chair)

Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

Prof Gareth Baynam

The University of Western Australia

Prof John Christodoulou

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Assoc Prof Tracy Dudding-Byth

The University of Newcastle

Prof Robyn Jamieson

Children's Medical Research Institute

Dr Di Milnes

Metro North Hospital and Health Service - Genetic Health Queensland

Dr Elizabeth Palmer

University of New South Wales

Dr Chirag Patel

Metro North Hospital and Health Service - Genetic Health Queensland

Prof Hamish Scott

Central Adelaide Local Health Network

Prof Tiong Tan

Victorian Clinical Genetics Services

Dr Mathew Wallis

University of Tasmania

Dr Megan Higgins

Metro North Hospital and Health Service - Genetic Health Queensland

Dr Lisa Ewans

Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

Dr Annabelle Enriquez

Nepean Hospital

Dr Jonathan Rodgers

Metro North Hospital and Health Service - Genetic Health Queensland

Scientific review committee

Prof Patrick Tam (Co-chair)

Children's Medical Research Institute

Prof Andrew Sinclair (Co-chair)

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Assoc Prof Josephine Bowles

The University of Queensland

Prof Robert Bryson-Richardson

Monash University

Prof Sally Dunwoodie

Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute

Prof Massimo Hilliard

The University of Queensland

Prof Gary Hime

The University of Melbourne

Prof Livia Hool

The University of Western Australia

Dr Nathan Palpant

The University of Queensland

Prof Leonie Quinn

Australian National University

Assoc Prof Kelly Smith

The University of Melbourne

Prof Ian Smyth

Monash University

Prof Paul Thomas

The University of Adelaide

Prof Ernst Wolvetang

The University of Queensland

Prof Seth Masters

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute

Project team

Our Network Team is here to ensure that all of our processes run smoothly and answer any questions you may have. You can contact us via email at functional.genomics@mcri.edu.au.

Dr Tessa Mattiske

Program Manager
Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Ebony Matotek

Project Officer
Murdoch Children's Research Institute

We acknowledge the significant contribution of our previous members: Professor Nigel Laing, University of Western Australia