GUARDIANS

GUARDIANS (human Genomics Uplift for Australia through Research Data Infrastructure At National Scale) is accelerating human genomics and related omics research in Australia through the development of world-class digital infrastructure.

The task

The GUARDIANS mission is to empower Australian researchers to easily and securely discover, access, and analyse human genomics data across national infrastructure, using the latest tools and resources.

Key Deliverables:

  • Data Commons: Supporting flagship omic datasets from key research areas.

  • National Genome Repository: Establishing a secure, centralised repository for human genomic data.

  • Access and Security: Implementing shared identity and access management for streamlined, secure researcher access.

  • Innovation Pilots: Demonstrating emerging approaches to genomic data sharing.

  • Expertise and Training: Providing technical leadership, support, and training for sustainable infrastructure use.

The Opportunity

Australia's human genomics research datasets present unparalleled opportunities to enhance our understanding of health, disease mechanisms, and precision medicine. However, data fragmentation, access barriers, and governance complexity limit their use. GUARDIANS is addressing these challenges by developing standardised interfaces, harmonised data formats, ethical access rules, and interoperable institutional policies and technologies. Provision of these vital components will enable researchers to discover, access, and analyse critical data from multiple research datasets, unlocking opportunities for discovery.

Our Approach

GUARDIANS aligns with international standards, including those of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), while addressing Australia's specific ethical, legal, and social context. Inspired by the NCRIS Roadmap, NAGIM Implementation Recommendations, the program builds on previous initiatives such as the Human Genomes Platform Project, and follows an iterative implementation model to ensure practical, scalable outcomes.

The Investment

GUARDIANS is funded by NCRIS through Bioplatforms Australia. This Australian BioCommons coordinated program began in 2023, with project implementation activities now underway. Deployment is expected to continue through 2027.

GUARDIANS is a collaboration among leading Australian genomics research and infrastructure organisations, including:

 

GUARDIANS is being delivered in partnership with: