News, 15th October, 2026
A new $10 million genomics facility at Flinders University brings population-scale, highly automated sequencing onshore, with Australian samples and data kept secure in Australia.
As announced by Flinders University, Decode Science is proud to join the South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC) and Bioplatforms Australia as an industry partner on a new $10 million genomics facility at Flinders University’s Bedford Park campus. Decode Science is supplying the facility’s MGI Tech Co. Ltd. (MGI) T20x2: an ultra high-throughput sequencer at the heart of a highly automated laboratory, capable of sequencing the equivalent of up to 59,000 complete human genomes each year. That will place the facility among the highest-throughput genomics capabilities in the Southern Hemisphere, and makes population-scale sequencing a practical option for Australian research and translational teams.
Historically, Australian programs needing sequencing at this scale have often had to send samples overseas, accepting longer turnaround, international logistics and less control over where sensitive genomic data is processed and stored. Once operational the new facility is expected to enable researchers and clinician-scientists to run cohort-scale studies in Australia, with automated workflows from sample receipt to data delivery and samples and data that stay onshore throughout. The facility will operate as a national research resource for universities and research institutes, complementing SAGC’s existing facilities at SAHMRI.
Genomic data is among the most sensitive information a research or clinical organisation holds. As genomics moves deeper into healthcare and population research, where that data is processed, stored and accessed has become a national priority, and it is a primary consideration in the design of this facility.
Until now, sending samples offshore for large-scale sequencing has meant accepting a trade-off between scale and control. This planned facility aims to remove that trade-off:
For clinical and translational teams, projects that once needed offshore arrangements and cross-border data considerations can now be designed around Australian governance from day one. For data custodians, the operating model will provide a clear answer to where samples and data will be held.
At the centre of the facility will feature MGI’s T20x2, a fully automated DNBSEQ genomics system designed for population-scale programs. The ulitra-high throughput sequencer is supported by robotics and automated guided vehicles to manage the entire workflow, so samples move from reception to data without manual handoffs between disconnected instruments.
From sample to data in one automated workflow
What this will mean for researchers
Automation reduces hands-on time and the variability that comes with manual processing, keeping results consistent across thousands of samples. High throughput shortens turnaround for large cohorts, and flexible run sizes mean a pilot study and a population program can use the same system. Beyond whole genome sequencing, the platform supports spatial transcriptomics and single-cell sequencing applications, giving research groups a path from discovery-scale experiments to cohort-scale studies in one facility.
The T20x2 has been recognised internationally, featuring in TI E’s Best Inventions of 2024 Mand receiving the Red Dot Design Award and Edison Award Gold. Decode Science supplies and supports the platform locally, with technical and applications support based in Australia.
How the facility will help
In health and clinical research, the facility is expected to support large cohort studies into why people develop particular diseases and respond differently to treatment, across cancer, neurological, autoimmune and rare disease research. Clinical trial teams will be able to generate genomic data onshore with shorter turnaround. In agriculture, sequencing at breeding-program scale can support healthier, more resilient crops and livestock, and environmental researchers can use the facility to study biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Decode Science
Decode Science is a 100 per cent Australian-owned specialist distributor of genomics, single-cell, spatial biology and molecular biology technologies, supporting research, clinical and industry laboratories across Australia and New Zealand. Founded in 2018, Decode Science is the authorised distributor of the T20x2 in the region and provides local sales, technical and applications support from offices in Melbourne and Wellington. Its work with SAGC shows what is now possible for any Australian or New Zealand institution decodescience.com.au
The South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC)
Established in 2020, SAGC is South Australia’s only genomics facility supported by the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), operating through a partnership including SAHMRI, Flinders University and Adeliade University. SAGC provides standard and customised genomics and bioinformatics services to researchers in South Australia, nationally and internationally, including high-throughput sequencing, metagenomics, epigenetics, single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and advanced bioinformatics support. It is NATA accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 and has supported more than 1,500 projects and 400 researchers, contributing to more than 160 publications. sa-genomics.com.au
Flinders University
Flinders University is one of Australia’s leading research universities. The facility will be hosted by the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute within the university’s Health and Medical Research Building at Bedford Park, which supports advanced biomedical and clinical research. The facility is being established by Flinders University in partnership with SAGC, Bioplatforms Australia and Decode Science. flinders.edu.au
Bioplatforms Australia
Bioplatforms Australia invests in advanced national research infrastructure and expertise across genomics and related life sciences, supported through the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy. bioplatforms.com
We have been proud partners of SAGC since the beginning. This investment is a vote of confidence in Australian genomics capability and in what can be achieved when industry, universities and research institutions work together. It puts Australian researchers on a level playing field with the world's best.
This investment will dramatically reduce the cost of large-scale genomics and help researchers move more quickly from scientific discovery to real-world impact. By analysing thousands of genomes efficiently and consistently, researchers will gain new opportunities to understand disease, improve food production and respond to environmental challenges.
This infrastructure gives the SAGC the capacity to support genomics and broader omics research at a scale that was previously difficult to achieve. Importantly, it strengthens our ability to support a diverse community of users across research, clinical, industry and government sectors, enabling ambitious projects to move from individual studies to large-scale programs with real-world impact.
As genomics becomes increasingly important to healthcare and research, protecting sensitive samples and data is essential. Researchers can have confidence that their samples and data will remain secure and be managed in Australia.
To demonstrate the facility’s capability, a national competition will offer eligible Australian universities and research institutes the opportunity to have a total of 5,000 human genomes sequenced at no cost. With support from Decode Science the competition is expected to open later this year.
The competition is designed to give research groups access to population-scale sequencing, generate pilot data that can strengthen future grant applications, and show what onshore, high-throughput genomics makes possible for Australian research.
Eligibility criteria and application details will be shared when the competition opens. Register your interest with Decode Science to be notified as soon as applications open.
Questions about the facility, the T20x2 or the upcoming competition? Our team can help with:
Get in touch:
Harshita Sharma
Marketing and Design lead
harshita.sharma@decodescience.com.au
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