OurDNA is a flagship project of the Centre for Population Genomics. The Centre is set up to:

• Include under-represented communities in genomic research;
• Explore the function and health relevance of human genes; and
• Improve the diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases. 

The Centre is a not-for-profit joint initiative from two of Australia’s leading research institutes: the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne.

OurDNA is partnering with communities to include ancestry groups who are mostly missing from medical research. We work with multicultural organisations, community leaders and communities to build genetic resources that represent all communities.

The genetic resources that OurDNA is building will enable all Australians in future generations to benefit from advancements in medical research. Read more about what we’re doing here.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) can be found in every part of the body, including blood and saliva. DNA contains a person’s genetic instructions, mostly in sections called genes.

Genetics is the study of genes and their role in body functions.

Genomics is the study of people’s genomes. In genomics, researchers study many genes at once, or many people’s genomes at once.

Genetic information contains the instructions that are used by people’s bodies to develop, grow and work. Differences or variants in genetic information can affect health. People share some of their genetic information with their blood relatives, including parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters, and children. 

All of a person's genes or genetic information is called a genome.

Genetic or genomic medicine uses the information in your DNA to diagnose or predict health conditions and guide their treatment or prevention.