Get involved in research

 

Listed below are the projects currently recruiting from the general public. If you would like to be invovled in the research or want further information, please use the contact details provided.

 

Vaccine trials
There are several vaccine trials currently recruiting. Please click here to see a current list of Vaccine Trials Group studies.

Contact: Phone 08 9340 8542 or email vtg@ichr.uwa.edu.au

 

Nutrition and Genome Health in Children Study
The Nutrition and Genome Health in Children Study is looking for volunteers aged 3, 6 or 9 years to participate in a new study looking into the role that diet plays in maintaining healthy DNA in children.  If you – or a friend or family member – have a child aged 3, 6 or 9 years, we would like to invite you to take part.  Children are eligible to take part if they have never been diagnosed with asthma, cancer, diabetes or arthritis. 

The study will run over a 4-month period and will involve parents filling out two Food Frequency Questionnaires, one at the beginning and one at the end of the study, and completing 5 dietary records (1 per month) which require you to take note of everything your child eats in a 24-hour period. At the end of the 4 months, an experienced paediatric phlebotomist will take a tiny blood sample (2 teaspoons) from your child so we can measure micronutrient levels and DNA health.

Participating in this study will help us increase knowledge about how diet affects children’s DNA. It will also help us to find out the best way to measure what children actually eat.  At the end of the study, you will be offered a summary table indicating your child’s estimated daily intake of key nutrients and micronutrient levels in the blood. This information will be accompanied by general advice from our dietitian about how your child’s diet can be improved, if needed.

Contact: If you – or a friend or family member – are willing to volunteer, or would like some more information, please contact the study coordinator, Meg McHugh, at: mmchugh@ichr.uwa.edu.au , or on 9489 7784.

 

The Global Prevention of Asthma in Children (GPAC) Study
This study was recently launched internationally and is the first study in the world aiming to prevent asthma and allergies in young children. Asthma is increasing in first-world countries such as Australia, and we know that persistent asthma is associated with allergies that start early in life. The most common allergies in the first years of life are due to food allergens such as cow‚s milk and egg. Children who have food allergies are more likely to develop an allergy to inhaled allergens (such as house dust mite and grass) and asthma when they are older. Early onset of eczema and a family history of asthma, eczema and/or allergic rhinitis are also associated with an increased risk of asthma.
Children in the study will receive daily drops of allergens (house dust mite, timothy grass and cat) or placebo for 12 months and will be followed up for 3 years after the treatment phase of the study. The drops will be administered at home under the tongue using a special dosing spoon. As part of the study, children will undergo allergy testing, lung function assessments and close clinical follow up at all study visits.
Volunteers: Children aged under 2 and a half years of age who are at high-risk of asthma to take part in this exciting new research study. Children who are at high risk of asthma, have the following:

• history of eczema
• family history of asthma, eczema or allergic rhinitis (a parent or sibling with one or more of these conditions) and

Contact: Carlie by phone on 08 9489 7813 or email carlied@ichr.uwa.edu.au

Allergy Prevention study : the role of fish oil
This study will examine the effects of fish oil in prevention of allergic disease. The main aim is to confirm our preliminary findings that omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) given early can modify immune development and reduce the risk of allergic disease. Infants will receive supplements from birth until six months of life and have allergy tests at one year and two years of age. This will not interfere with the choice to breastfeed.
Volunteers: Pregnant women can register interest at any stage in pregnancy.
Contact: Phone 08 9340 8834

The effects of fish oil supplementation on infant development (behaviour and performance)

Preliminary studies suggest that fish oil supplementation can improve brain development and performance in normal children. This study will examine the effects of fish oil supplementation on cognitive development. This will not interfere with the choice to breastfeed. Children will receive supplements from birth until six months of life and have developmental testing at 18 months and two and a half years of age.
Volunteers: Pregnant women can register interest at any stage in pregnancy.
Contact: Phone 08 9340 8834

Treatment of asthma using natural products (probiotics and antioxidant vitamins)
This study will determine whether the natural supplements (probiotics and antioxidant vitamins) can improve asthma control. The study is based on preliminary studies that probiotics and antioxidant vitamins have the capacity to inhibit allergic immune responses. Children will receive the supplements for 3 months and this will not interfere with their normal treatment. They will be monitored regularly including lung function (blowing) tests.
Volunteers: Children aged six to 12 years with asthma of any severity.
Contact: Phone 08 9340 8834

The Childhood Growth and Development Study
The Childhood Growth and Development Study at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research aims to identify the biological, environmental and psychosocial factors that influence the development and persistence of overweight and obesity in children. The study team will use this knowledge to find new ways of helping children to avoid or to overcome obesity, and to maintain a healthy weight. A large number of Western Australian families who have children in years 1 to 7 are taking part in this study. Children representing a wide range of height and weight have been invited to take part and at least one parent of each child also participates in the study. Study families are assessed twice per year for three years.

Volunteers: There are currently around 450 children and their parents involved in the study. If you receive an invitation to take part in the Growth and Development Study, we would really appreciate your consideration.

Contact: If you would like more information, please contact the Study team on 9489 7734.

The Raine Study
The Raine Study first began in the late 1980s when almost 3,000 women were enrolled at between 16 and 20 weeks in pregnancy through the antenatal booking clinics at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Subiaco. The teenagers have been followed at birth, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 13 and now 16 years of age. The investigators remain in contact with 2,300 families and most continue to contribute to the Study by completing questionnaires and attending assessments which cover a multi-faceted collection of a broad range of aspects of child and adolescent health and development.
Volunteers: Raine Study teenagers aged 16 years are now being invited to take part in the latest Raine Study follow-up. To remain viable the continued participation of Raine Study teenagers and their families is essential.

Contact: If you are a Raine Study family and would like more information, please contact the Study team on 9489 7794 or check out our website at www.rainestudy.org.au