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David Whiteman is a medical epidemiologist with a special interest in the causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer. His work has focussed on melanoma and skin cancer, and more recently, on cancers of the upper gastro-intestinal tract.
Genetic And Environmental Epidemiology Of Early-onset Melanoma In The Australian Melanoma Family Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$412,210.00
Summary
This project will investigate the genetic and environmental causes of melanoma, especially melanoma developing under the age of 40 in Australian families. This project will help to identify which people are at greatest risk of developing melanoma, by identifying the genes involved in melanoma development and the contribution of environmental and lifestyle factors to the disease. We will also determine how much hereditary factors contribute to melanoma risk.
One of the current challenges in public health is to translate the progress from the Human Genome Project into reduced morbidity and mortality from disease. Once genetic defects are characterised, knowledge about the variability in severity of disease in mutation carriers, is important from a public health perspective. Hereditary Haemochromatosis (HH) is a common genetic disorder of iron overload that results in a wide spectrum of disease, varying from non-specific symptoms to severe damage to l ....One of the current challenges in public health is to translate the progress from the Human Genome Project into reduced morbidity and mortality from disease. Once genetic defects are characterised, knowledge about the variability in severity of disease in mutation carriers, is important from a public health perspective. Hereditary Haemochromatosis (HH) is a common genetic disorder of iron overload that results in a wide spectrum of disease, varying from non-specific symptoms to severe damage to liver, heart, pancreas and joints from iron deposition. It is easily treatable by regular blood donation, and population-based screening for HH has therefore been advocated. In this study we aim to address gaps in the existing data on HH regarding dietary and lifestyle factors that contribute to the variable clinical picture of HH. The study will be based on the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study, a cohort of 31,500 men and women who have been followed for approximately 10 years. Information on dietary and lifestyle factors was collected at initial enrollment, along with a blood specimen. We will test all non-Southern European participants (31,176) for the common HH mutations in the HFE gene and then select a subgroup of 1150 people, including all people with the main genetic defect as well as a comparison group, for further clinical followup. Participants will have genetic counselling and informed consent will be obtained. Participants will complete a short questionnaire and give a blood sample for measurement of iron overload, liver function, and other relevant blood tests, then undergo a brief clinical examination. Results of all tests will be given at a followup visit by genetic counsellor or physician. This study will provide important data on natural history of HH risk factors that influence variability in clinical presentation and the association of HFE mutations with chronic diseases and all cause mortality.Read moreRead less
Risk Factors For Molecular Sub-types Of Colorectal Cancer
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,194.00
Summary
Colorectal cancer is Australia's most common cancer. It actually has several subtypes that probably have different causes and which may respond differently to treatment . The aim of this study is to see whether risk factors for a newly identified form of colorectal cancer, called CIMP, differ from those for the more common form of colorectal cancer. Knowing this may help us understand better how the disease is caused and so design better ways to prevent it.
Common Susceptibility Genes Underlying The Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies (IGE) - A Genome-wide Scanning Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$212,063.00
Summary
Epilepsy is the most common serious brain condition. Seizures affect about 10% of people at some time in their life and their consequences are an important public health problem. The most common group of inherited epilepsies account for about 30% of childhood epilepsy and 20% of adult epilepsy. This study will be the first in Australia and one of only a few worldwide to take a population-based approach to investigating the link between epilepsy and genetic inheritance.
Genes And Environment In Late AMD: Pooling A State And Population Resource
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$701,642.00
Summary
This study will pool cases from the West Australian Macular Degeneration database with the Blue Mountains Eye Study (NSW), to investigate the interplay of genes and environmental factors on risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in particular the late, vision threatening stage. It will provide insights into the underlying causes of AMD, and could allow us to target people with AMD susceptibility genes for preventive approaches, which could reduce the burden of this disease.