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Research
Medical Comorbidities in MECP2 Duplication Syndrome: Results from the International MECP2 Duplication DatabaseSince the discovery of MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) in 1999, efforts to characterise this disorder have been limited by a lack of large datasets, with small case series often favouring the reporting of certain conditions over others. This study is the largest to date, featuring 134 males and 20 females, ascertained from the international MECP2 Duplication Database (MDBase).
Research
Preclinical efficacy of azacitidine and venetoclax for infant KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia reveals a new therapeutic strategyInfants with KMT2A-rearranged B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have a dismal prognosis. Survival outcomes have remained static in recent decades despite treatment intensification and novel therapies are urgently required.
Research
A flexible computational pipeline for research analyses of unsolved clinical exome casesExome sequencing has enabled molecular diagnoses for rare disease patients but often with initial diagnostic rates of ~25-30%. Here we develop a robust computational pipeline to rank variants for reassessment of unsolved rare disease patients. A comprehensive web-based patient report is generated in which all deleterious variants can be filtered by gene, variant characteristics, OMIM disease and Phenolyzer scores, and all are annotated with an ACMG classification and links to ClinVar.
Research
CRISPR single base editing, neuronal disease modelling and functional genomics for genetic variant analysis: pipeline validation using Kleefstra syndrome EHMT1 haploinsufficiencyOver 400 million people worldwide are living with a rare disease. Next Generation Sequencing identifies potential disease causative genetic variants. However, many are identified as variants of uncertain significance and require functional laboratory validation to determine pathogenicity, and this creates major diagnostic delays.
Research
Remission of peanut allergy is associated with rewiring of allergen-driven T helper 2-related gene networksThe immunological changes underpinning acquisition of remission (also called sustained unresponsiveness) following food immunotherapy remain poorly defined. Limited access to effective therapies and biosamples from treatment responders has prevented progress. Probiotic peanut oral immunotherapy is highly effective at inducing remission, providing an opportunity to investigate immune changes.
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Use of privacy-preserving record linkage to examine the dispensing of pharmaceutical benefits scheme medicines to pregnant women in Western AustraliaMedications are commonly used during pregnancy to manage pre-existing conditions and conditions that arise during pregnancy. However, not all medications are safe to use in pregnancy. This study utilized privacy-preserving record linkage (PPRL) to examine medications dispensed under the national Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to pregnant women in Western Australia (WA) overall and by medication safety category.
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Gene editing and cardiac disease modelling for the interpretation of genetic variants of uncertain significance in congenital heart diseaseGenomic sequencing in congenital heart disease (CHD) patients often discovers novel genetic variants, which are classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Functional analysis of each VUS is required in specialised laboratories, to determine whether the VUS is disease causative or not, leading to lengthy diagnostic delays.
Research
The rare and undiagnosed diseases diagnostic service – application of massively parallel sequencing in a state-wide clinical serviceThe Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases Diagnostic Service refers to a genomic diagnostic platform operating within the Genetic Services of Western Australia
News & Events
Fiona Stanley honoured at WA’s most prestigious science awardsProfessor Fiona Stanley, Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, has been inducted into the Science Hall of Fame.
News & Events
Study opportunity for Aboriginal Health WorkersA new scholarship program offering Aboriginal Health Workers an opportunity to take up further study has been launched
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Potential new vaccine for WA's meningococcal threatPerth researchers are trialling a Meningococcal B vaccine that could potentially provide protection
News & Events
30% of children at risk of future heart diseaseAlmost 30% of 14-year-old Australian children fall within a group identified as being at future increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes or stroke
News & Events
Better diagnosis leads to higher autism ratesThe rapid increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Western Australia reflects changes to diagnostic practices
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Parents’ exposure to chemicals at work may be linked to birth defectsResearchers at Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research say a new study that has found a possible association between parental occupations
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Jim McGinty joins child health research BoardFormer WA Health Minister, the Hon Jim McGinty, has been appointed to the Board of Perth's The Kids for Child Health Research.
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About the Australian Early Development IndexThe Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) program is conducted by the Centre for Community Child Health
News & Events
Critical mass in rare diseases - an innovative internet approachThe internet is emerging as a valuable tool for scientists to gather data for critical research into rare diseases.
Research
DeepCAGE Transcriptomics Reveal an Important Role of the Transcription Factor MAFB in the Lymphatic EndotheliumVEGFR-3 signaling plays a central role in lymphatic biology, both in the development of the lymphatic network during embryogenesis as well as in...
Research
Systematic chemical and molecular profiling of MLL-rearranged infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia reveals efficacy of romidepsinPresent a valuable resource for drug discovery and have identified ROM as a promising therapeutic for MLL-rearranged iALL
News & Events
Pregnancy link to child behaviourA new study has found that children whose mothers were stressed during pregnancy are at higher risk of developing behavioural and emotional problems.