Genetic research hasn't included everyone. You can help change that.
Right now, most of the genetic information doctors and researchers rely on comes from people of European ancestries. If your community isn't represented in that data, a diagnosis can take longer, and treatments may not work as well for you, your children, or your grandchildren.
OurDNA is changing that, and you can help!
Two ways to take part
If your ancestry includes one of OurDNA's communities of focus you can help build genetic resources that represent your community, some for the first time.
If you have European ancestries, you have a part to play too. OurDNA is developing new ways of studying genetic data that need to be checked in a small, comparison cohort, so we can be confident every discovery we make is real. Comparison groups like this are a common, well-established part of medical research.
Who's eligible?
To join as part of a community of focus, you need to:
- Be over 18 years old and eligible for Medicare
- Have ancestry from one of our current communities of focus (Lebanese, Syrian, Jordanian, Palestinian, Tongan, Samoan, or Fijian)
- Be able to give a blood sample in Victoria or New South Wales
- Not have a known severe genetic condition, like cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy, in your close family — common conditions like cancer, diabetes, or inflammatory bowel disease don't affect your eligibility
- Not have taken part in OurDNA before
To take part in our comparison cohort, you need to:
- Be over 18 years old and eligible for Medicare
- Have both parents of European ancestries
- Be able to give a blood sample in Victoria or New South Wales
- Not have a known severe genetic condition, like cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy, in your close family — common conditions like cancer, diabetes, or inflammatory bowel disease don't affect your eligibility
- Not have taken part in OurDNA before
What's involved
Taking part is straightforward, and always your choice:
- Register in our portal here and complete the consent process.
- Give a blood sample at your nearest Melbourne Pathology or attend an assisted walk-in session if you're based in New South Wales. There's no need to fast beforehand!
- Be reimbursed for your time.
Your personal details (such as name or date of birth) and your genetic information are stored separately and securely in Australia, long term, linked only by a code. Only a small number of authorised OurDNA team members can ever access your personal details.
Based at the Melbourne Children’s Campus?
If you work or study at the Melbourne Children’s Campus, taking part is extra easy.
Ask questions about taking part in OurDNA at one of our information booths at Synapse Cafe. If you have questions or want to register using our dedicated app there and then. The OurDNA team will be at Synapse Cafe between 9am - 11am on:
- Wednesday 21 October
- Thursday 22 October
- Wednesday 4 November
You can walk in, no appointment needed. Give blood at your nearest Melbourne Pathology clinic any time during opening hours from Monday to Wednesday. The closest Melbourne Pathology locations to the Melbourne Children’s Campus are listed below.
| Location | Address | Opening Hours |
| North Melbourne | Level 1, 65-67 Errol Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051 | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm |
| Brunswick | Suite 1 & 4, 200 Sydney Road, Brunswick VIC 3056 | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Melbourne (QV) | 23 QV Terrace, 292 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000 | 8:00 am – 6:00 pm |
| Moonee Ponds | 14 Pascoe Vale Rd, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 | 8:00 am – 4:00 pm |
Or book a spot at one of our collection events. We're running dedicated collection sessions in the MCRI Clinical Trials rooms. Once you have completed the consent forms, you can book a collection slot using our bookings system linked below.
Based at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research?
If you work or study at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, you can take part by attending one of our assisted walk-in sessions.
More details about the assisted walk-in sessions will be made available soon.
HREC Reference Number: HREC/91986/RCHM-2023
