The Communicable Diseases Genomics Network (CDGN) was established in 2015 with an overarching aim of implementing genomics into clinical and public health microbiology in Australia. The CDGN includes representatives from public health laboratories across all jurisdictions in Australia, and New Zealand. In 2019, the network was formalised as an Expert Reference Panel under the Australian Government Public Health Laboratory Network, a standing committee under the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.
The CDGN is coordinated by the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory (MDU PHL), the University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. The Australian Government Department of Health provides funding support for the coordination and bioinformatics capacity and capability building activities of the network.
CDGN’s Vision
To advance public health in Australia and New Zealand through the implementation of microbial genomics to support communicable diseases activities.
Aims
Develop a framework to facilitate consistency in the use of microbial genomics for public health related activities in Australia and New Zealand.
Facilitate sharing of microbial genomics data and knowledge, including antimicrobial resistance pathogens and other pathogens of outbreak significance, in a collaborative and responsible manner, in order to improve public health activities nationally.
Objectives
Establish a unified and coordinated public health microbial genomics network to advise and interact with existing laboratory and public health networks, government, policy makers, and other relevant stakeholders
Establish consensus on whole genome sequencing (WGS) and metagenomic platforms and methods
Establish and coordinate jurisdictional capacity and expertise in microbial WGS and metagenomics
Establish consistent, validated national microbial bioinformatics pipelines
Develop procedures and policies allowing rapid national genomic data sharing and analysis, to enhance public health outbreak detection and response
Develop and support teaching and training activities to enhance public health microbial genomics
Align with core functions and enablers proposed in the National Framework for Communicable Disease Control, particularly in areas related to improved surveillance
The full CDGN Terms of Reference can be found here.
We’re On Twitter!
Follow us to stay updated on how we are using translational research and cutting-edge genomics technology for public health in Australia.