Haplomic Technologies is invested in providing the ability to sequence individual chromosomes in order to provide unambiguous phase (haplotyping) for use in clinical medicine and other applications
The Company Haplomic Technologies Pty Ltd (HT) was established in 2004 by the late Dr Malcolm Simons and Mr Geoff Swanson for the specific objectives of developing intellectual property, for the DNA sequencing of single chromosomes to determine haplotypic phase. HT was granted over 20 international patents on the clinical applications of haplotyping from 2004 to 2012.
The close professional working relationship between Dr Brian Tait and HT for many years generated volumes of laboratory data and technical substance on haplotyping which contributed significantly to the development of HT’s knowledge base and future commercial prospects.
However, at that stage there were no reliable methods for routinely isolating single chromosomes from single cells for sequencing, while the scientific world was reporting widely that haplotyping represented one of the greatest opportunities for understanding the genetics of many complex diseases!
In 2008, Geoff Swanson proposed the concept of using microfluidics to separate, isolate and collect single chromosomes from a single cell.
We are currently in the final phase of proof of concept (POP) with respect to the workflow which involves several steps
1. Stimulation of T lymphocytes with PHA and arresting in the metaphase stage of mitosis with colchicine
2. Labelling of two chromosome 6s with a centromere probe (The first iteration of the method will be targeting the HLA system for use in bone marrow transplantation.)
3. Loading of the cells onto the microfluidic cartridge and isolation and trapping of a metaphase cell.
4. Lysing of the single cell and separation of the two labelled homologues and dispensing into single tubes for sequencing.
5. Sequencing of two HLA haplotypes for matching purposes.
We have successfully completed all of the above steps and have examples of all singulated human chromosomes.
We are currently running cells from step 1 to step 5 to demonstrate POP and reproducibility. This work is expected to be completed by May 2025 at which stage we move into the instrumentation phase. An investor package will be prepared at this stage to attract funding to complete the project and bring the instrument into the laboratory as a prelude to sequencing.
Lawrie Chadwick
CEO
Geoff Swanson
Mr Swanson has worked in Science and Technology for over 60 years starting as a cadet analytical chemist at Australian Consolidated Industries Ltd followed by Technical Management roles with Varian Associates USA (Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry) and Varian Techtron Melbourne (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy).
Mr Swanson founded Analytical Reference Laboratories (ARL) in 1974. ARL provided specialized medical diagnostic services to Hospitals and Private Pathology practices throughout Australia. Following the sale of ARL in 2002 (finally owned by Healthscope), Mr Swanson together with the late Dr Malcolm Simons, founded Haplomic Technologies Pty Ltd (HT) in 2005.
Mr. Swanson retired from the HT Technology Team in June 2022 and now works with the HT Technology Team as an Advisor.
Technical Team
Dr Brian Tait, BSc, MSc, PhD, FRCPath (UK), RCPA (Founding Fellow, Faculty of Science)
Chief Scientific Officer – Haplomic Technologies Pty Ltd.
Dr Tait has worked in the field of histocompatibility genetics and its application in clinical transplantation for over 45 years. As Director of the Tissue Typing laboratory located at the Royal Melbourne Hospital from 1975-1999) and co-director of the merged Victorian Transplantation and Immunogenetic Service in Melbourne (1999-2008) he directed a busy HLA matching laboratory programme which provides a service to all the solid organ and haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplant units in Victoria and Tasmania, including six major renal transplant centres, the heart and lung transplant unit at the Alfred Hospital, the Liver Transplant unit located at the Austin Hospital and several units providing an HSC transplant service. In addition to his interest in the genetics of transplantation Dr Tait has shared a lifelong interest with Dr Malcolm Simons in disease genetics, a collaboration which extends back to 1975.
Dr Tait is the author and co-author of over 250 scientific papers and the co-author and editor of several books. He has recently compiled and edited a book entitled “More than a footnote” which is the story of the history of solid organ transplantation in Australia and New Zealand and has another book Self or Non- Self, on the discovery of the MHC, about to go to press as of October 2024.
Dr Melinda Kulas Jasper PhD
Dr Melinda Kulas Jasper consults on whole genome amplification technologies and the optimization of low-template sequencing workflows. She has a PhD from the University of Adelaide, has undertaken post-doctoral research in laboratories within Spain and Adelaide, and established clinical services for pre-implantation genetic testing. In addition, she has developed a portfolio of commercial products for single cell and cell-free applications.
Greg Allan
Cytogeneticist
SCHOTT MINIFAB (Melbourne)
Schott Minifab are a German owned Melbourne company involved in the design and testing of nano-engineered cartridges which trap individual metaphase cells derived from PHA stimulated human peripheral blood, lyse the cell and by a process of pressure and shuffling, singulate the chromosomes, which can then be collected, with a view to sequencing.
PLANET INNOVATIION (Melbourne)
PI is a Melbourne company which has assisted HT in market surveys and are the company who are designing the instrument which will be compatible as an addition to sequencing instruments.
SILVERPOND
Silverpond have developed AI software for the isolation of metaphase cells and for the identification of individual chromosomes.
UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Frank Grutzner has made his facilities available at UA for Melinda Jasper (HT) to perform single chromosome amplification, using methods they developed previously for single cell genomics. He has followed the work of Kathy Fuller at UWA and with the assistance off Filip Pajpach has successfully used the FISH method to label chromosomes (specifically C6) for use on the micro engineered cartridge.
UNIVERSITY OF WA
Kathy Fuller and Wendy Erber conducted a series of experiments during 2020 and 2021 to develop a method of metaphase chromosome labelling for individual identification.
Congentum (Melbourne)
Congentum assisted HT in assessing the market for HT technology in bone marrow transplantation and interviewing representatives of bone marrow centres in Australia and the USA to establish user requirements.
Affiliates
Get in Touch
All business enquiries should be addressed to the Administration admin@haplomictechnologies.com
All scientific enquiries should be addressed to the CSO at btait@haplomictechnologies.com