Projects beginning in 2008

DECODE: Validation of genes affecting asthma and atopy        

1. To replicate genetic associations found in Icelandic asthma patients in the Busselton population

• Prof Lyle Palmer, WAIMR
• Adj Prof Alan James, Pulmonary Physiology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
• Adj Prof John Beilby, PathWest
• Dr Jennie Hui, WAIMR
• Clin Prof Bill Musk, Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
• Dr Ingileif Jonsdottir, DECODE
• Dr Eva Halapi, DeCODE
• Dr Unnur Bjornsdottir, DECODE

In progress

Australian population based reference ranges for established and newer auto-antibody assays

1. To generate reference data for auto-antibody assays
2. To use these data to improve the interpretation of established and new diagnostic auto-antibody tests

• Dr Peter Hollingsworth, Pathwest
• Dr Christine Bundell, Pathwest

In progress

The Busselton Health Ageing Study

To establish a large, population-based, longitudinal cohort study of “baby boomers” (born 1946 to 1963) in order to:

• Collect epidemiological, clinical and genetic data on a range of conditions of economic and public health importance in an ageing population, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, sleep disorders, vision and hearing disorders, bone health, spinal pain, muscle strength and physical function, cognition and mental health.
  1. Enable an integrated approach across many disciplines to investigate the environmental, social, behavioural and genetic factors underlying susceptibility, progression and treatment of common, chronic adult diseases and changes in physical and mental function associated with ageing.
  2. Investigate the inter-relationship of diseases and phenotypes with each other, with the ageing process, and with genetic and environmental factors.
  3. Enable opportunities to reduce disease burden and to develop and validate tools (e.g., predictors of clinically significant loss of function) to improve community health.

• Professor Lyle J Palmer (Centre for Genetic Epidemiology & Biostatistics, UWA)
• Professor Osvaldo P Almeida (Geriatric Psychiatry, UWA)
• Professor Marcus Atlas (Ear Science Institute Australia)
• A/Professor John P Beilby (Department of Diagnostic Molecular Genetics, PathWest)
• Dr Romola S Bucks (School of Psychology, UWA)
• Professor Ian Constable (Lions Eye Institute)
• Professor George Davey-Smith (University of Bristol , UK)
• Professor Jonathan D Emery (General Practice, SPARHC, UWA)
• A/Professor Jonathan K Foster (School of Exercise, Biomedical & Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University)
• A/Professor Joseph Hung (School of Medicine and Pharmacology, UWA)
• A/Professor Alan L James (WA Sleep Disorders Research Institute, SCGH)
• Professor Matthew W Knuiman (School of Population Health, UWA)
• Dr Sutapa Mukherjee (WA Sleep Disorders Research Institute, SCGH)
• C/Professor AW (Bill) Musk (Respiratory Medicine, SCGH)
• Professor Robert U Newton (Vario Health Institute, Edith Cowan University)
• Professor Peter L Thompson (WA Heart Research Institute, SCGH)

Not yet commenced