Professor Leslie Burnett is Chief Medical Officer of Genome.One, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. He is a passionate teacher and communicator about the genetics and genomics revolution.

Leslie pioneered the development of many pathology and genetics initiatives, including founding Australia’s first Community Genetics program, and being a Medical Director for the accreditation of Australasia’s first Whole Genome Sequencing clinical service.

His past key organisational roles as a Clinical Pathologist have been within both the public and private health sectors. He has served as Ministerial appointee, Chairman, or President of several National and International bodies in pathology and genetics. He has received many Awards for Business and Technical Excellence, Service Excellence and Community Service.

Leslie’s current interests are in the areas of genomic pathology, genetic screening, bioinformatic modelling of population genetics and cell biology processes, and quality assurance.

Professor Burnett is currently Conjoint Professor at the St Vincent’s Clinical School, UNSW Australia, Honorary Professor in Pathology and Genetic Medicine in the Sydney Medical School, and has been an Honorary Associate of the School of Information Technologies, at the University of Sydney.

Title: “Bringing Genomics into mainstream medical practice”

Abstract:

The introduction of clinically accredited Whole Genome Sequencing and the increasing availability of genomic technologies is heralding a new era for modern medicine.

These transformative techniques are more than new tests: their implementation offers huge potential for improving patient care and preventative health but challenge existing systems of test requesting, patient consent, result reporting, and clinical consultation.

This presentation will describe the scope and range of medicine that are already being changed through the ready availability of genomics, and will provide examples of some of the surprisingly simple solutions that are being developed to support the introduction of genomics into medical practice.”