Dr Blackburn is Head of the Garvan Genomics Platform, overseeing key responsibilities related to the advancement and delivery of genomic sequencing, single cell and spatial technologies, and flow cytometry services. He has 23 years of extensive first-hand scientific experience and expertise across a broad range of research disciplines – from genomics and transcriptomics to molecular and developmental genetics (including “EvoDevo”). Dr...view more
Dr Blackburn is Head of the Garvan Genomics Platform, overseeing key responsibilities related to the advancement and delivery of genomic sequencing, single cell and spatial technologies, and flow cytometry services. He has 23 years of extensive first-hand scientific experience and expertise across a broad range of research disciplines – from genomics and transcriptomics to molecular and developmental genetics (including “EvoDevo”). Dr Blackburn has a passion for leading the creation, adaptation and implementation of techniques and tools for both basic (fundamental) and translational research, which have so far resulted in the creation of two research-validated diagnostics for cancer-associated fusion genes, and a novel protocol for improving the precision with which protein-DNA regulatory interactions are identified (ChIP-CapSeq).
My Grants
James, P.A., ... Blackburn, J., et al. Trial Integration of Polygenic Scores for Common Cancers into Standard Clinical Care. 2022 MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission Grant, 2024-2027.
Blackburn, J. Improving Fusion Gene Detection and Immune Response Assessment in Sarcoma Patients. ANZSA Research Grant 2020.
Blackburn, J. Improving Sarcoma Cancer Diagnostics Through Implementation of a Novel Fusion Gene Test. NFMRI Research Grant, 2020-2021.
Blackburn, J., Heyer, E.E., Trahair, T.N. Accurately Diagnosing Fusion Genes in Paediatric and Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Sarcomas. St. Vincent’s Clinic Foundation Research Grant, 2019.
Mercer, T.R., Dinger, M.E., Burnett, L., Blackburn, J. Diagnosis of Inherited Genetic Disorders Using DNA Reference Standards. NHMRC Project Grant, 2018-2020.
Mercer, T.R., Gill, D., Blackburn, J. A Universal Clinical Test for Gene Fusions in Blood Cancer. NHMRC Project Grant, 2016-2018.
My Qualifications
2004 – PhD Human Molecular Genetics, University of London (Imperial College) - UK
2000 – BSc (Hons) Genetics, University of Manchester - UK
My Research Activities
Cancer Genetics, Cancer Diagnostics
My Research Supervision
Areas of supervision
Projects associated with next generation sequencing-based patient diagnostics and wet-lab methods development.
Currently supervising
I supervise PhD, MSc and Honours students enrolled within UNSW.
My Teaching
I provide course lectures and exam questions for undergraduate students from the School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5216-8815