Help combat previously untreatable genetic eye diseases by making a donation. Your donation will go towards the build of Australia's first dedicated ophthalmic gene therapy centre. Read more
"You have two hands, one to help yourself, the second to help others" - Audrey Hepburn
We are seeking support to establish the first genome editing facility in Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region. We aim to build a Tasmanian-led, Australian-based gene correction centre which will directly facilitate all aspects of this research from genetic interrogation and viral vector production, enabling direct benefits to patients and their families across Australia. This collaborative resource will be building upon insight from The Australian Genomics Health Alliance (a $25M flagship from the National Health and Medical Research Council) and consolidate links with other societies such as Retina Australia, The Eye Surgeons Foundation and the Australian Gene Therapy Society.
Tasmania is an ideal venue for this centre. Locally, we have world leading expertise, with Australia’s pre-eminent expert in ocular CRISPR/Cas therapy residing in Tasmania. The local production of gene therapeutic products presents as a new and unique industry for Tasmania. Whilst our principal objective will be to ensure equity of access to Australian patients, this facility would open the prospect of international trade, with the ability to ship product across the Asia-Pacific region. Despite the fact that this technology may be based in Tasmania, the solution can easily be administered in any state or jurisdiction - which means that interstate travel for treatment will not be necessary.
Additionally, the production pipeline could in time spawn new business developments within Tasmania. Such ventures could range from services specialising in cryospecimen delivery to DNA synthesis or sequencing. Australia currently does not have any centre or business offering a DNA synthesis service, an issue which is being profiled by BioPlatforms Australia.
The Tasmanian Eye Institute is a mature, charity established for research, education and service. It is a fully ACNC and ATO registered charity to the highest level (Public Benevolent Institute PBI status).
Give the gift of vision by donating the cost of a pair of glasses. Your donation will allow us to supply a pair of glasses to someone with treatable vision impairment. Read more
Now that our Gene Therapy Centre building is nearing completion, we need to fill it with equipment. Here is some of the equipment needed... Read more