A new $10 million genomics facility built around the T20x2, bringing population-scale sequencing, end-to-end automation and full data sovereignty to Australian research.
Decode Science is proud to partner with the South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC) and Flinders University on a new $10 million genomics facility at Flinders University’s Bedford Park campus. We are supplying the T20x2, a highly automated, high-throughput sequencing system that can sequence the equivalent of up to 59,000 complete human genomes (30x coverage) a year, one of the highest-throughput genomics capabilities in the Southern Hemisphere. Established with Bioplatforms Australia, the facility will operate as a national research resource alongside SAGC’s existing facilities at SAHMRI.
Until now, Australian research and translational programs that need this scale have often sent samples overseas, adding turnaround time and placing sensitive genomic data with offshore providers. This facility keeps that work in Australia. Researchers and clinician-scientists can run cohort-scale studies onshore, with automated workflows from sample receipt to data delivery, and samples and data that never leave the country.
genomics facility at Flinders University's Bedford Park campus
complete human genomes (30x) sequenced a year
flow cells per run, from pilot study to population cohort
samples and data stay in Australia
Genomic data is among the most sensitive information a research or clinical organisation holds: it is permanent, identifying and shared across families. Controlling where it is processed and stored is now a national priority, and it shaped this facility’s design from the start.
Biological samples are processed at the facility in South Australia, and genomic data is stored on Australian-based infrastructure.
Sequencing data is de-identified and handled through a secure laboratory information system, from sample receipt to data delivery.
The facility's data governance and cybersecurity measures have been assessed through independent cybersecurity review.
SAGC is NATA accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, and this facility is a step on its roadmap toward ISO 15189 accreditation for clinical genomic testing.
At the centre of the facility is the T20x2, a fully automated DNBSEQ genomics system that brings sample handling, DNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing and data management into one robotics-driven workflow.
Up to 59,000 30x human genomes a year, and the same system runs a pilot study or a population cohort.
maximum data output per run (PE150)
reads per run at full capacity
less reagent use with dip-immersion biochemistry
Population cohorts, cancer and matched-normal studies, rare disease cohorts
Gene expression mapped within intact tissue, across larger tissue cohorts
Large atlases and highly multiplexed experiments without the usual sample ceiling
Half of FORGE’s capacity is reserved for researchers, clinicians and industry across Australia and beyond.
Affordable, high-throughput whole genome sequencing enables large-scale cohort studies, multi-omics investigation of complex disease, and genomic approaches to cancer, neurological, autoimmune and rare disease research.
Key benefits –
✓ Cohort-scale WGS at a cost that was previously only available overseas.
✓ De-identified data stays onshore throughout.
South Australia’s integrated CRO ecosystem, paired with world-class genomics infrastructure at a fraction of prior cost, strengthens the state as a destination for industry-sponsored research.
Key Benefits –
✓ Faster turnaround
✓ Lower per-sample cost
✓ Clear pathway toward ISO 15189 clinical accreditation.
Genomic data to support animal and plant breeding programs, research into improved yields, resilience to climate change, and stronger international competitiveness for Australian producers.
Key Benefits –
✓ Population-scale sequencing cost now supports breeding-program-sized cohorts, not just pilot studies.
The scale of genomic data generated by FORGE creates opportunities for large, de-identified datasets to drive machine learning, drug discovery and predictive modelling — in the spirit of initiatives like the UK Biobank.
Key Benefits –
✓ 6,000 TB of annual output, generated and stored entirely within Australia.
Partners since the beginning. SAGC has run DNBSEQ sequencing since 2021 and hosted Australia’s first T7 high-throughput sequencer. Decode Science has partnered with SAGC from the start, and the T20x2 is the next step in that partnership.
Established in 2020, SAGC is South Australia’s only genomics facility supported by the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It provides genomics and bioinformatics services including high-throughput sequencing, single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, epigenetics and metagenomics, and is NATA accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. SAGC has supported more than 1,500 projects and 400 researchers and contributed to more than 160 publications.
Flinders University is one of Australia’s leading research universities. The facility is hosted by the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute within the Health and Medical Research Building at Bedford Park, which supports advanced biomedical and clinical research.
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.
Decode Science is a 100% 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
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.
human genomes, sequenced at no cost
Coming Soon
To demonstrate the facility’s capability, a national competition will give eligible Australian universities and research institutes the opportunity to have a total of 5,000 human genomes sequenced at no cost. Supported by Decode Science and MGI, the competition is expected to open later this year.
Register your interest below and we’ll let you know as soon as applications open.
Eligible Australian universities and research institutes. The competition is expected to open later this year. Register your interest and we’ll let you know when it opens.
Yes. Samples are processed at the facility in South Australia and genomic data is stored on Australian-based infrastructure, with security measures assessed through independent cybersecurity review.
Whole genomes at population scale. The platform also supports spatial transcriptomics and single-cell sequencing applications.
No. It will operate as a national research resource for universities and research institutes.
Yes. Decode Science supplies and supports the T20x2 across Australia and New Zealand. Choose “T20x2 for my institution” in the form below.
Choose “Facility and project enquiry” in the form below and we’ll connect you with the right team.
Questions about the facility, the T20x2 or bringing high-throughput, onshore sequencing capacity to your own institution? Send us a note and our team will be in touch.
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