Wellspring Genetics - Genetic Counselling and Testing Brisbane

Genetic Testing

Certified, world-leading laboratories

Wellspring Genetics uses leading Australian and international laboratories including Color, Invitae, QML via Genomic Diagnostics, Sullivan Nicolaides via Sonic Genetics, and VCGS Pathology.

All are certified by the relevant quality assurance authorities for medical testing.

Affordable

The cost of gene testing varies from about $350 to $995 depending on the test required. The most common test costs about $400.

This cost is paid to the pathology laboratory, not Wellspring Genetics.

Rapid Access

Wellspring Genetics will aim to see any patients within two weeks. A patient in the public hospital system may have to wait up to 12 months.

Any patient with medical issues that need to be discussed can also be offered a fast track appointment to see Dr Michael Gattas at Brisbane Genetics.

Our Team

Vrunda Sane BSc, MBA, MSc (Hons Genetic Counselling), FHGSA

Genetic counselling involves talking about a genetic condition with a health professional like Vrunda, who has qualifications in both clinical genetics and counselling. Vrunda worked as a science teacher for many years and had mastered the art of communicating science. She went on to complete a Master of Science with honours in Genetic Counselling at Griffith University in 2013. She has successfully achieved the title of ‘Fellow of the Human Genetics Society of Australia’ (FHGSA) in 2020 and is a fully certified Genetic Counsellor. Vrunda has authored one of the early papers on perceived interest in development of private genetic counselling services in collaboration with primary care physicians in the Australia.

Vrunda is currently working as a Senior Genetic Counsellor at Genetic Health Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Woman’s Hospital. Vrunda has a keen interest in familial cancer. Vrunda is passionate about providing person-centred genetic counselling and supporting individuals to make informed decisions about genetic testing for familial conditions including cancer and pre-pregnancy genetic counselling.

A genetic counselling session with Vrunda usually combines many different elements including talking about your family health history, learning about specific conditions and how they are inherited, talking about how to manage and prevent those conditions and finding out what genetic tests are available. Attending a genetic counselling session does not mean that you must consider genetic testing, but it aims to increase your understanding of genetic conditions and Vrunda will help you make an informed decision around genetic testing.

Dr Michael Gattas MBBS (Hons) FRACP

Dr Gattas is a Physician or Medical Specialist who has completed sub-specialty training in Clinical Genetics.

Dr Gattas graduated with honours from Sydney University Medical School in 1986. He moved to Brisbane in 1988 to complete his training in Paediatrics at the Mater Children’s Hospital. He then moved to Melbourne with his young family and started training in Clinical Genetics as a Fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. The next 3 years were spent in Birmingham in England working in the West Midlands Clinical Genetics Service. He has always worked in clinical practice, and not in research or laboratory genetics practice.

Dr Gattas returned to Brisbane in 1996 and has worked for over 20 years in public hospital practice at Genetic Health Qld. He started his private practice at Brisbane Genetics in 2004. He has a broad experience in all aspects of genetics, including cancer genetics, chromosome abnormalities, paediatric genetics, IVF and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). He was an author of one of the earliest papers on the use of video-consultation for clinical genetics practice in 2001.

What do we offer?

Prenatal or Pre-Pregnancy Appointment

Well Adult Appointment