Cohort studies
Biobanks and cohort studies are 2 pivotal components in the field of medical research, and together they provide a rich resource for researchers to delve into the complexities of various diseases and work towards finding effective treatments.
Western Australia’s research sector is particularly strong in the areas of biobanking and cohort studies. The region boasts a diverse population and unique environmental conditions, providing a rich and varied source of biological samples for biobanks. This diversity is a boon for researchers, allowing them to study a wide range of health conditions and their correlations with genetic and environmental factors.
Western Australia’s robust healthcare system and research institutions have also facilitated the establishment of world leading cohort studies. These studies, often longitudinal in nature, provide valuable insights into the health trajectories of different population groups over time. The combination of comprehensive biobanking and well-designed cohort studies has positioned Western Australia as a leader in medical research, driving advancements in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
The Western Australian (WA) Government is committed to driving health and medical research through the Future Health Research and Innovation Fund, with biobanking playing an important enabling role in its vision.
While WA is home to many cohort studies, 3 of the leading programs with global recognition include:
- the Busselton Health Study
- the ORIGINS project
- the Raine Study.
The Busselton Health Study commenced in 1966 and is globally recognised as one of the longest running population health research programs with over 20,000 participants and more than 1 million samples.
Research activities undertaken as part of the Busselton Health Studies are diverse and encompass a wide range of health conditions and measures. These have included cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes and endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal, kidney and liver diseases, cancer, obesity, sleep disorders, cognition and genetic epidemiology.
The ORIGINS project at the Telethon Kids Institute currently contains more than 370,000 biological samples and this is expected to grow to 750,000 individual samples by 2027.
ORIGINS is following the progress of pregnant women, their partners and babies for the first 5 years of the baby’s life, and beyond, with an increasing understanding that an individual’s lifetime health and disease may be programmed at a very early stage – while a child is still in the womb.
The Telethon Kids Institute, internationally recognised for research excellence in maternal and child health, is the custodian of the ORIGINS Biobank and is responsible for its management. If the ORIGINS Project ceases, the biobank will remain with the Institute to ensure the biobank continues to be available for researchers.
The Raine Study is a multi-generational study and one of the largest, most successful pregnancy cohorts in the world. Along with the extensive data collected during pregnancy, the Raine Study children were assessed at birth and then at regular intervals, with assessments continuing today as the participants – now adults – approach their 30's.
The Raine Study has collected bio samples for over 30 years from pregnancy to early adulthood and across multiple generations.
Western Australia’s biobanking capability continues to grow, with more than 35 established biobanks throughout the state.
Linking biobank data to population health data can also provide significant academic and health service research opportunities. Western Australia’s data linkage capability has been developed over the past 3 decades through collaborations between State and academic institutions with the aim to provide better delivery of health services and health benefits to the community.
The Western Australian Health Translation Network maintains a register of Western Australian bio banks and their custodians.
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood is responsible for collecting and distributing blood and biological products in Australia. They facilitate blood donations, plasma donations, and organ/tissue donations.