Munir Iqbal

Helping fast-track life science discoveries @SA_genomics

[Bioplatforms Australia @BioplatformsAus]

🚀 Applications are now open for Round 2 of the NCRIS Synthetic Biology Voucher Scheme! Access up to $75k (matched funding) to accelerate synthetic biology R&D through Australia's NCRIS infrastructure.
📅Apply by 11 Sept 2026. Learn more: https://t.co/ztZLUcePQS #NCRISImpact

[Martin Smith @martinalexsmith]

New data in ESMO Real World Data provides a decisive case for the immediate adoption of universal whole genome sequencing (WGS) as the standard of care in Australian oncology. 🧬🇦🇺

​The study proves the diagnostic superiority of comprehensive whole genome and transcriptome sequencing (WGTS) over traditional, piecemeal panels using routine pathology tissue. For complex cases and cancers of unknown primary (CUP), this multi-omic approach significantly accelerates tissue-of-origin resolution and identifies actionable therapeutic biomarkers at first instance.

​Replacing iterative panel testing with an upfront WGTS model eliminates the diagnostic odyssey and secures equitable access to precision medicine. To deliver truly modern cancer care, Australia must transition WGTS from a specialized utility to the national standard.

​Read the study: https://t.co/f0TyI3fNwm

​#PrecisionOncology #ClinicalGenomics #AusHealth #GenomicMedicine

[Genomics WA @genomics_wa]

The Short Read has finally returned for its First Re-Issue- featuring an article from The Long Read where we explore the end of the The "short read vs long read" debate as it gives way to "Which technology best answers your research question"
https://t.co/iopekkwzib

[Alistair Forrest @Al__Forrest]

🦘 Hop to it!

Reminder: Oral abstracts for #HCA2026Asia close this Friday.

🎤 30 talks available, including 15 for students and early-career researchers.

#SingleCell #SpatialTranscriptomics #HumanCellAtlas

https://t.co/jogBwqHU0e

[Martin Smith @martinalexsmith]

Sequencing is not just a test. It is the front door to the next cancer system.

My OpEd in @australian is online today, ahead of tomorrow’s @UNSW Showcase at Parliament House.

It begins with Rosie, a staffy cross with incurable cancer, but the broader argument is about national capability: #cancer #genomics as the foundation for better treatment decisions, faster clinical trial matching, #AI-enabled interpretation, #RNA therapeutics and smarter evidence around expensive new medicines.

Australia has the proof points. The challenge now is scale: making comprehensive cancer genomics routine, equitable and connected to the infrastructure needed to act on it.

Tomorrow I’ll be at Parliament House with @PalliThordarson discussing how Australia can build this system here, rather than import it later on someone else’s terms.

🔗https://t.co/2ueCXVls2i

[Alistair Forrest @Al__Forrest]

Oral Abstracts due July 3rd!! 30 speaking slots including 15 dedicated to students and ECRs!

[The UWA Institute of Agriculture @IOA_UWA]

Are you attending @IOA_UWA's 2026 Industry Forum on July 8? Why not make the absolute most of your visit to #UWA by attending this special @CrawfordFund for Food Security WA, @RaidNetwork WA & @AgInstituteAus networking event immediately before! https://t.co/4KPfL03rLO @SAgE_UWA

[Luciano Martelotto 🛠🧬💻🇦🇺 @LGMartelotto]

Spatiotemporal transcriptome atlas of human embryos after gastrulation | Nature https://t.co/YDGi4JuJLq

[Luciano Martelotto 🛠🧬💻🇦🇺 @LGMartelotto]

I’m sure you have also wondered whether AI will replace bioinformaGicians? Until yesterday, for me the answer was obvious. But then I read this.

Gho et al. make a point that sounds simple but isn't. AI can write your favorite omics pipeline, summarise your literature, generate your methods section…but it can’t tell you if any of it is actually correct!. Whether the model fits your data, whether the result makes biological sense, whether something that looks right is actually wrong…well, that still needs a person who genuinely understands what they are looking at. The model has no idea when it is producing nonsense, and that, that IS the whole problem.

Everyone talks about model architecture, but how good the output is often comes down to the training data, and getting that right needs someone who can spot a batch effect, catch label noise, notice when a benchmark result means nothing in the real biological context. I had not thought about it this way before.

The bit in bias also makes sense. A model that works less well for certain patient populations is not an ethics conversation you have separately from the science. It is just the model being wrong, and someone needs to know enough to see it.

Not sure I have fully changed my mind. But I am thinking about it differently.

https://t.co/BnnaljfPwU

[STOmics @ST_Omics]

🧬 Over 94,000 completely novel lncRNAs discovered. A comprehensive study in @NatureMethods has mapped the spatial landscape of non-coding RNAs across 13 solid tumors. By integrating single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, researchers compiled the SPanC-Lnc database. 🧵

[Parse Biosciences @ParseBio]

We are excited to offer a new stem cell and developmental biology grant program for researchers who are new to using the Parse Evercode technology! Register to join our information session on April 15th for application details: https://t.co/c9UAzWsseg

[Chris Mason @mason_lab]

Great news: "Australian Ban on Genetic Discrimination by Life Insurers Could Unlock Nationwide DNA Screening" https://t.co/NeN2jC0fO1

[DogeDesigner @cb_doge]

BREAKING: Starlink India launch just got closer.

SpaceX has just signed an MoU with Meghalaya to bring satellite internet to some of the most remote and hard-to-reach regions of the country.

[ryan lister @ry_lister]

We’re hiring 4 roles at UWA's Plant Synbio Innovation Centre: Facility Manager + 3 Postdocs (single-cell genomics/screening; molecular tools; construct prototyping). Apply by Jan 20: https://t.co/yL2XxY7KpE https://t.co/i2CgRQaGhX https://t.co/UfpwK4jb0P https://t.co/QuiIRW7Ej7

[SAHMRI @sahmriAU]

SAHMRI researchers Prof David Lynn and Dr Natalie Stevens joined ABC Radio to talk microbiome - does it help or hinder vaccines? 🦠

They discussed this research, and the AVIRS study, which is seeking participants to understand more about it.

Listen 🎧 https://t.co/K9MDSwGtkh

[South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC) @SA_genomics]

Our newest addition, Illumina MiSeq i100 Plus🧬- an early start to the festive season @SA_genomics.
Fast, compact, powerful, and ready to deliver data in time for the holiday season. Learn more about our sequencing capabilities: https://t.co/xLmrIcw151

[South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC) @SA_genomics]

Now Open! STOmics OMNI pilot - SAGC, @Decode_Science - spatial RNA from FFPE—end-to-end service.
Why STOmics OMNI?
✅ Species-agnostic
✅ Random hexamers (total RNA)
✅ 10×10 mm area at high res (500 nm)
✅ End-to-end workflow
Get your projects ready→https://t.co/89PjKQU4Eb

[South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC) @SA_genomics]

We’re thrilled to welcome Olivia Flynn to our Genomics Team.🧬Olivia recently completed her Master of Genome Analytics @MonashUni and has a passion for #rare_disease research and translating genomics into improved health outcomes. Please join us in welcoming Olivia to the Team.

[Anirban Maitra @Aiims1742]

CosMX, MERFISH, Xenium… so many choices, so little time and money!
Nice study from @MDAndersonNews comparing these single cell resolution platforms in archival materials.
https://t.co/y4Xts0Y9LK
TL;DR there is no one perfect answer. Many factors including block age matter.

[South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC) @SA_genomics]

Upcoming 🍽️ Lunch & Learn w @idtdna
'Push Boundaries with Unmatched NGS Customisation'
@sahmriAU Tues 7 Oct

Topics:
🔬 CRISPR
🧬 SynBio
🧪 Gene Regulation
🌱 eDNA

📍 SAHMRI | RSVP required | Space limited
👉 https://t.co/28LfEYbsWG