Liz Davis; Tim Jones; Jacqueline Curran
Study Staff: Rachelle Kalic; Adam Retterath
The establishment of this resource will allow researchers in the future to carry out scientific studies which will look at the genetic causes of excessive weight gain (how excessive weight gain runs in families), and to identify biomarkers (special molecules) in blood that help predict individuals at risk of becoming overweight or at risk of developing obesity related diseases. Eventually the aim is to improve on current practice for prevention and monitoring of complications related to obesity.
The individuals that will be eligible for recruitment to the study will be overweight children their siblings and parents seen for their weight problem at Princess Margaret hospital, and families enrolled in the Growth and Development study through Institute of Child Health research.
DNA will be extracted from blood/saliva; serum & plasma from the blood samples. The samples collected will be coded so that no one outside the PMH research team will be able identify who the sample belongs to.
Fractions of DNA and protein results may be provided to properly qualified researchers, with PMH ethics approval, to identify susceptibility genes and biomarker results may be provided to properly qualified researchers, with PMH ethics approval, to identify susceptibility genes and biomarkers related to obesity and its complications.
Funder: NHMRC Enabling Grant & Internal Funds