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QCIF Joins Groundbreaking PICACHIU Initiative to Boost Children's Immunotherapy Research

Data scientists at the Queensland Cyber Infrastructure Foundation (QCIF) are providing their expertise in bioinformatics and single-cell research, as well as data storage and computing resources to the Paediatric Immune Cell Atlas for Children’s Immunotherapy Innovation (PICACHIU) initiative, led by Professor Di Yu of the Ian Frazer Centre for Children’s Immunotherapy Research at The University of Queensland.

 

This project seeks to construct a comprehensive immune cell atlas that will transform the diagnostic and therapeutic landscape for children suffering from critical illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and lupus. By mapping out the paediatric immune landscape, PICACHIU aims to provide a crucial benchmark for researchers and clinicians, fostering more precise diagnoses and tailored treatments.

 

QCIF is contributing substantial data management solutions and computing power to the initiative, alongside expertise in bioinformatics and single-cell research, aimed to streamline the research and optimise clinical workflows.

 

Dr Ahmed Mehdi, Senior Biostatistician at QCIF, is integral to developing the project’s analytical methods.


"The PICACHIU initiative has the potential to transform paediatric immunotherapy by providing a comprehensive and personalised understanding of children’s immune systems." Dr Ahmed stated.

 

The $7 million project has received funding from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Australian National University, and Sanofi.

 

Other partner organisations include Children’s Health Queensland, Pathology Queensland, QIMR Berghofer, Sanofi, The Australian National University, and Children’s Cancer Institute.

 

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