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Genetic Signatures (GS) is a specialised molecular diagnostics (MDx) company that is committed to the advancement and commercialisation of 3base™, its exclusive platform technology. The company is using highly multiplexed real-time PCR screening assays in conjunction with simplified sample processing techniques to revolutionize molecular diagnostics. They created the EasyScreen™ Real-Time PCR-based solutions, which give pathology and hospital labs the molecular tools they need to quickly and efficiently test for a variety of infectious diseases. 

APR Intern, Jacqueline (Jacqui) Holliday, is a PhD candidate at University of Wollongong. Her interests in learning all the practical lab methods and having the privilege of working with a unique cell line (that she developed experience and familiarity with during her Honours year) sparked her in pursing a PhD in metastatic cancer biology.

Jacqui’s PhD project focuses on metastatic gastroesophageal cancer. Specifically, she focuses on a subset of metastatic cells called circulating tumour cells, which are an important model for using in experiments to test anti-metastatic agents. 

The opportunity to experience working in an industry context was appealing for Jacqui to get involved in the APR.Intern. As a proteomics-based researcher, Jacqui had essential experience in translatable laboratory skills, whereas GS is a genomics-based molecular diagnostics company.  

“My placement with GS provided me the chance to develop skills in techniques I was not previously familiar with, such as qPCR. In this way my internship with GS had double benefits for me, facilitating my development both scientifically as well as professionally,” she said. 

During her time at GS, Jacqui’s role was to test a myriad of alternative beads and create a shortlist of the most compatible with the existing GS applications. This involved conducting many extractions on 30 different candidate beads and assessing their performance compared to the control beads by qPCR. 

“My time at GS allowed me to interact with people in many different roles that I wasn’t previously aware of and learn what their day-to-day tasks involved. Learning there are multiple scientific roles like product development scientist, quality control scientist, and validation scientists, was both enlightening and reassuring to me, and gives me hope and potential direction for my career.” 

The push towards personalised medicine is very important and exciting. By using treatment options that are less toxic and more specific, such as target therapies and immunotherapies, we will achieve this increased standard of care. Should Jacqui’s work, or others conducting similar studies, develop to the point of translation to the clinic, it will add to the arsenal of options for doctors to use on a patient-by-patient basis.   

“It’s great to see how supportive the Genetic Signatures team are of our rising stars from UOW, having hosted 40 PhD students through APR.Intern. Jacqui was able to work on a real world problem that will change how the company operates, so that’s a wonderful experience to have.”

– Georgia Watson, UOW LIFT Project Coordinator 

Genetic Signatures has many partners both in Australia and globally. Their sample preparation and pathogen detection kits are an integral resource for many partnered pathology labs. Jacqui’s contribution to enhancing their existing kits will allow them to continue to provide these products to customers and facilitate quick diagnostic turnarounds to aid in managing the health of the community. 

Jacqui’s GS Industry supervisor, and Former APR Intern, Dr Tara Nguyen, states she wanted to provide Jacqui with the best opportunity to learn more about R&D in the industry.

“I am grateful for taking Jacqui under my wing since it gave me a chance to put my leadership skills into practise and set Jacqui on her scientific journey. Jacqui’s APR internship allowed her to be exposed to all of Genetic Signatures’ R&D processes and systems, from project meetings to various liquid handlers in the laboratory.”

– Dr Tara Nguyen, Senior Product Development Scientist at Genetic Signatures

“This exposure to the industry is central to building her scientific career and making invaluable connections. Jacqui’s project at GS was improving a significant aspect of our diagnostic kit. Her dedication and hard work from the internship will ultimately improve our customer’s workflow,” Tara said.

 

 

Jacqueline Holliday is completing a PhD from University of Wollongong  

Jacqueline Holliday was a recipient of the UOW Lift subsidy.