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Clinical metagenomics
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is transformative approach in microbial diagnostics and patient care, because it can be used to detect and characterise all known pathogens – bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic – from a sample in a single test within a clinically actionable timeframe. The application of metagenomic next generation sequencing in a diagnostic setting has the potential to transform patient care, enabling personalised approaches to infectious diseases treatment, including countering antimicrobial resistance. The MRFF funded Meta-GP program will develop and implement clinical metagenomic diagnostics for infectious diseases in Australia.
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Public health genomics
Molecular epidemiology of bacteria and viruses are an important component of outbreak investigations and can be used for analysis on global diversity of circulating strains. These projects apply whole genome sequencing techniques to characterise the transmission and evolution of pathogens of public health interest.

Professor Deborah Williamson
(03) 8344 5470 | deborah.williamson@unimelb.edu.au
- Position:
- Director of VIDRL, Professor of Public Health Microbiology
- Theme(s):
- Viral Infectious Diseases, Antimicrobial Resistance, Bacterial and Parasitic Infections
- Discipline(s):
- Education & Professional Development, Computational Science and Genomics, Global Health, Public Health, Clinical and health systems research
- Unit(s):
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), Department of Infectious Diseases
- Lab Group(s):
- Williamson group
Professor Deborah Williamson is a Clinical Microbiologist and Director of the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL). She is also a Professor of Public Health Microbiology and Laboratory Head in the Department of Infectious Diseases, and a lead for the Public Health cross-cutting discipline at the Doherty Institute. Deborah is a clinician-scientist involved in the delivery of specialist public health laboratory services, and in the diagnosis and surveillance of communicable diseases. Her laboratory focuses on the translation of diagnostic technologies, including genomics, to infectious diseases.