Let’s shape the future of medical research together

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.

To take part in OurDNA, you must:

• Be over 18 years old
• Be eligible for Medicare
• Be able to give a blood sample in Victoria or New South Wales
• Self-identify as having ancestry from one of the communities underrepresented in genetics resources. Visit this page to check which communities we are actively working with.
• People cannot participate if they or anyone in their close family has a known severe genetic health condition, like cystic fibrosis or muscular dystrophy. This does not include common conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, cancer or diabetes.

Regardless of visa status, OurDNA is only including people who are covered by Medicare at the time of consent. If you are unsure about your eligibility for OurDNA, please speak with a member of the study team. 

Yes, you can take part in OurDNA if you have tattoos.

No, you only can only take part once. Each person’s unique contribution is valuable but we need many different people to take part to support the research.

The goal of the OurDNA program is to include representation in genetic resources of people from specific underrepresented communities in genetic resources. However, we understand and respect that some people may identify as being part of one cultural community, but have a different genetic background. 

If you identify as having ancestry from one of the communities we are actively working with, but you are not sure of your background or do not know, we encourage you to take part.

If you join OurDNA and choose to get genetic information back, this information could tell you something about your health or the health of your family in the future. Only a small number of people who take part in OurDNA are likely to receive a result.

While there is no cost to find out this information through the study, we require Medicare eligibility to ensure you can access clinical services if we do return a result. If you are covered by Medicare in Australia, there is usually no or low cost for genetic health services with a doctor's referral.