2023 comes to a close with over 115,000 GenV particpants
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GenView edition #8 | December 2023
Dear GenV supporter,
As 2023 draws to a close, we reflect on achievements only possible with the dedication of GenV’s team and the support of our collaborators and supporters.
In October, GenV’s newborn recruitment phase ended - after nearly 3 years. In November, the Deputy Premier of Victoria and Minister for Medical Research, The Hon. Ben Carroll MP, celebrated this milestone at Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s at Sunshine Hospital. We are so grateful to all of Victoria’s 58 birthing hospitals and their warm welcome to our 160 staff across the state.
We are Australia’s largest child and parent longitudinal cohort! Over 115,000 participants reflect Australia’s cultural, social and geographic diversity (except remote Australia). Our major biosample collection includes over 95,000 saliva samples and 6,500 breastmilk and infant stool samples. This scale and diversity reflects the desire of so many Victorians from all walks of life to make a difference for years to come.
GenV’s door is always open. Now, our focus shifts to inviting families who have moved to Victoria, were missed at birth, or simply want to join later – perhaps when they or their child develop a health condition and enter a collaborating study. If you work with families whose child was born between October 2021 and October 2023, do let them know how easy it is to join GenV!
Our Integrated Studies continue to grow. 16 collaborator-led studies are working with GenV, and 720 GenV participants have already joined another study or registry. This edition features one of our collaborator-led studies about Special Care Nurseries.
Do think about how GenV could benefit your work. In 2024, we’ll publish more information about the GenV cohort, biosamples, and data availability. With flexibility both to make discoveries and to test new interventions and treatments, GenV can address countless social and health questions. If you wish to discuss an early idea, please contact solutionsgenv@mcri.edu.au.
Thank you again for your support of GenV. We wish you all the best for the holiday season and look forward to sharing our progress next year.
Professor Melissa Wake and Ms Natasha Zaritski, GenV Directors
With the GenV Leadership Team
Integrated Studies enabling research to improve the care of vulnerable babies
Almost 1 in 5 (18%) babies receive care in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) or special care nurseries (SCN) in Australia.
Australia has a valuable NICU registry. Now, GenV is laying the groundwork for SCN babies to receive these same benefits. Led by GenV postdoc Dr Jing Wang, the prototype SCN registry aims to support future quality and consistency of care for all SCN babies.
GenV is committed to strengthening skills and career paths for young researchers. Through its Student and Volunteer Program, GenV has hosted 114 students and volunteers from many disciplines. While they learn, each of their projects contributes to GenV’s growth.
In 2024, we welcome five Fellows who will drive an exciting agenda in GenV’s geospatial and clinical linkage, genomics and digital health measurement.
World-class GenV sample collection opens research possibilities
Home to Australia’s largest paired collection of breastmilk and newborn stool samples – around 7000 of each – GenV is uniquely positioned for population-level discoveries on the complex interplay between breastmilk composition, infant gut health and overall wellbeing. When coupled with GenV data in other dimensions, this rich resource could shed light on vital issues such as mental health, obesity and autism.
GenV's engagement with mothers at the Cornelia Program
GenV’s continued inclusivity efforts saw engagement with the Cornelia Program, which provides access to safe accommodation, maternity and psychosocial services.
A senior GenV recruiter, who is also a qualified social worker, led conversations about GenV with mothers in the program. This engagement supports community members who are often excluded from research to join GenV.
Are you considering a new study with children, parents, families or adults? Have you thought about collaborating with GenV?
GenV is Australia’s largest longitudinal cohort of children and parents. Find out more here.
GenV is led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital and The University of Melbourne, and funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation, the Victorian Government, The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Future Fund.
