Statement of Purpose
- Promote the understanding and use of genomic technology in Australasia
- Foster communication & collaborations between Australasian research groups utilising genomic technologies
- Convene and underwrite an annual meeting of members and facilitate workshops on the use of genomic technologies and the analysis of genomic data
- Facilitate and accelerate genomic and related technology development in Australasia
- Support student and early career researchers, the genomic technology leaders of the future
Background
In 2003 at the 3rd National Microarray Conference in Couran Cove, Queensland, attendees voted to form a new incorporated association based on the need for a multi-disciplinary professional and educational forum on the use of genomic technologies. It was called the Australasian Microarray and Associated Technologies Association (AMATA).
The founding of the association was seeded on generous support from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF), which at the time funded a DNA Resource that underpinned the development of DNA microarrays in Australia. Further information about the many outcomes from the initial $1.3 million in ACRF funding is available here
Over the last decade there has been a rapid evolution in genomic technologies leading to widespread adoption of other (non-array) platforms. Hence, in 2011 it was decided to change the name of the society to Australasian Genomic Technologies Association (AGTA) to reflect the changing landscape of genomic technology platforms. Despite the change in the association name the general purpose of the association has remained the same.
Over the past decade, AGTA has become an integral part of the research community in the Australasian and the Pacific region. Membership is open to the research and clinical diagnostic community, industry, students and supporters of high throughput technologies, bioinformatics and systems biology.