Existing global resources of genetic variation are currently missing representation from many large Australian communities spanning several million Australians. This results in inequity in access to accurate genetic diagnoses and future developments in genomic medicine. The OurDNA program is addressing this gap by building genomic resources for multicultural communities that are currently underrepresented in genomics databases.
Over the next few years, the program will recruit and collect blood samples from 10,000 healthy participants from several underrepresented Australian communities in non-clinical settings on a population scale. To achieve this aim, we partner with communities to design and implement recruitment pathways that encourage and facilitate participation. To enhance our understanding of the biological impact of the unique genetic variation in each community, we have chosen to collect live cells, which require sample processing in a 24-hour window after collection.
We have designed recruitment pathways that can accommodate a variety of collection scenarios, permit rapid transport of samples to processing hubs, and allow the processing of substantial numbers of blood samples within the required timeframe. This has involved collaborating closely with our partners, Biobanking Victoria and Westmead Biobank, to enhance processing capacity.
This poster will explore challenges and possible solutions for further scaling of the program, such as improving infrastructure, automating processes, and forging strategic partnerships. Addressing these issues is crucial for the success of studies like OurDNA, advancing personalised medicine, and improving health outcomes in Australia.