Dr. Kerri Basile, Clinical Microbiologist and Infectious Diseases Physician, is set to improve healthcare outcomes for some of the most vulnerable patient groups.
Dr. Kerri Basile was awarded a Westmead Charitable Trust Clinician Research Grant for her project, Targeted metagenomics to guide precision medicine in immunosuppressed transplant recipients.
The research focuses on targeted metagenomics, an innovative diagnostic technique designed to detect specific microorganisms and their associated resistance genes in immunosuppressed patients.
“This method facilitates the identification of infections and reactivations without the need for traditional laboratory cultivation,” Dr Basile said.
Targeted metagenomics provides rapid, precise results to guide effective patient management.”
Dr Kerri Basile
With this grant, Dr Basile aims to refine and optimise the methodology and reporting structure to establish targeted metagenomics as an accredited and routinely performed laboratory diagnostic test.
“Receiving this grant is a tremendous honour.”
It will enable us to leverage our experience in microbial genomics sequencing for pathogens of public health importance, enhancing diagnostics and ultimately improving outcomes for immunosuppressed patients.”
Dr Basile works at NSW Health Pathology in WSLHD which are both part of the Westmead Health Precinct.
The Precinct is one of the Australia’s largest health, education, research, and training hubs, the Westmead Health Precinct is a collaboration between several organisations, working together to deliver exceptional health outcomes for Western Sydney, Australia, and across the world.
Since the beginning, research has been key to the success of Westmead.
With two world-leading medical research institutes at the Precinct, and co-located with universities, some of Australia’s most important research takes place here. With over 2000 research projects each year and 1500 researchers, Westmead continues to be at the forefront of health research.