
2004 – PhD Human Molecular Genetics, University of London (Imperial College) - UK
2000 – BSc (Hons) Genetics, University of Manchester - UK
Dr Blackburn is Head of Production for the Garvan Sequencing Platform, holding key responsibilities for the provision and innovation of next generation sequencing services. He has 23 years of extensive first-hand scientific experience and expertise across a broad range of research disciplines – from genomics and transcriptomics to molecular and developmental genetics (including “EvoDevo”). Dr Blackburn has a passion for leading the creation, adaptation and implementation of techniques and tools for both basic (fundamental) and translational research, which have so far resulted in the creation of two research-validated diagnostics for cancer-associated fusion genes, and a novel protocol for improving the precision with which protein-DNA regulatory interactions are identified (ChIP-CapSeq).
Blackburn, J. Improving Fusion Gene Detection and Immune Response Assessment in Sarcoma Patients. ANZSA Research Grant 2020
Blackburn, J. Improving Sarcoma Cancer Diagnostics Through Implementation of a Novel Fusion Gene Test. NFMRI Research Grant, 2020-2021.
Blackburn, J., Heyer, E.E., Trahair, T.N. Accurately Diagnosing Fusion Genes in Paediatric and Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Sarcomas. St. Vincent’s Clinic Foundation Research Grant, 2019.
Mercer, T.R., Dinger, M.E., Burnett, L., Blackburn, J. Diagnosis of Inherited Genetic Disorders Using DNA Reference Standards. NHMRC Project Grant, 2018-2020.
Mercer, T.R., Gill, D., Blackburn, J. A Universal Clinical Test for Gene Fusions in Blood Cancer. NHMRC Project Grant, 2016-2018.
Cancer Genetics, Cancer Diagnostics
My Research Supervision
I supervise PhD, MSc and Honours students enrolled within UNSW.
My Teaching
I provide course lectures and exam questions for undergraduate students from the School of Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences.