New Zealand Genetics Testing
The New Zealand genetics testing landscape is characterised by an increasing number of laboratories offering diagnostic tests for genetic disorders. The range of services and the funding available from District Health Boards (DHB) vary, with some DHBs focusing on specific genetic diseases and others on a broad spectrum of conditions.
ANZgene
ANZgene is an Australia and New Zealand MS Genetics Consortium platform based on the collection of genetic samples from people with multiple sclerosis (MS) from around Australia and New Zealand. ANZgene is supported by MS Research Australia and acts as a platform to facilitate research collaboration with other groups worldwide.
Initially ANZgene formed in 2007 with the aim of collecting genetic samples from people with MS across the two countries and pooling these samples to increase researchers' ability to make discoveries. This was accomplished in partnership with MS Research Australia via an ARC Linkage Grant.
In addition, ANZgene members collaborate with a number of MS genetics consortia, such as the International MS Genetics Consortium (IMSGC) to identify genes involved in MS risk and progression. This has resulted in over 200 MS risk genes identified and numerous publications.
To assess the contribution of individual SNPs to larger signals, all SNPs identified by elastic net were assigned bp to the boundaries obtained from the USCS genome browser (hg19 format) (see Methods for region boundaries). The blue bars in Figure 4 map the combined'signal' from all identified SNPs across the HLA, NKC and LRC loci.
MS Gene Bank
The MS Gene Bank enables researchers to study the genetics of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) and provides access to a wealth of data. This research, conducted by neurologists, geneticists, molecular biologists and data scientists, aims to identify genes that contribute to the development of MS and can be used to improve understanding of its pathophysiology.
A key challenge facing gene banks is the complexity of operations, particularly with regard to collecting and distributing germplasm. This is made more difficult by the increased regulation that has been implemented since the 1990s, aimed at regulating Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS).
This makes it increasingly difficult for genebanks to acquire new PGR either through collecting missions or through obtaining material from other collections. This requires negotiating with national and local authorities, as well as complying with regulations. This can be costly and time-consuming, a significant drain on genebank resources and resources needed to support breeding programs.
Public Bioinformatics Platform
Biological data is a vast store of information that can be used to understand and improve health. The field of bioinformatics combines biology, computer science, data science, mathematics and statistics to analyze this data in a variety of ways.
For example, it can help identify mutations in HIV that evade antiretroviral treatment. It can also predict drug effectiveness.
In addition, it can provide a tool for scientists to study the course of disease by analysing patients' clinical experience and their genomes. This can allow the development of new medicines to treat specific diseases.
However, it is important to note that some bioinformatics software suites can be expensive. Moreover, learning how to use them may be difficult.
GFANZ
GFANZ is a cross-industry, sector-specific climate alliance that aims to catalyze strategic and technical coordination between leading existing net zero finance initiatives. It is led by UN special envoy for climate action Mark Carney and includes more than 300 banks, asset owners and managers, and insurance firms.
During COP26, the group made a number of announcements that could have major implications for both its member institutions and the non-financial companies they fund. These include a commitment to operationalize net-zero targets and accelerate capital mobilization for low-carbon projects.
It also launched a new workstream to forge agreements with several major industries on sector-specific net-zero pathways, starting with aviation and steel. These blueprints could be quickly adopted by a wide range of businesses and investors, helping to catalyze a rapid consensus on what constitutes a credible emissions-reduction trajectory.
GFANZ members say they will continue to set science-based, interim, and long-term goals to reach net-zero no later than 2050 in line with Race to Zero’s criteria. They will review their targets every five years and report on progress.