Community Study of the Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorder

• 
  Project Lead
  Professor Ingrid Scheffer

  i.scheffer@unimelb.edu.au

  View researcher's webpage

  +61 3 9035 7344

Project Details

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder defined by impairment in social communication, along with the presence of repetitive or unusual behaviours or interests. The number of children being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased over the past 30 years to one in 68. However, the causes of ASD are not fully understood. Because the symptoms and severity of the disorder vary, there are likely to be many causes. It is thought that genetic factors play a major role with a possible environmental contribution. In this study, we aim to understand the genetics and inheritance pattern of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Researchers

• Professor Ingrid Scheffer AO, Chief Investigator, Paediatric Neurologist
• Professor Martin Delatycki, Investigator, Clinical Geneticist
• Associate Professor Paul Lockhart, Investigator, Molecular Geneticist and Cell Biologist
• Professor Sarah Wilson, Investigator, Clinical Neuropsychologist
• Professor Melanie Bahlo, Investigator, Bioinformatician
• Dr Cherie Green, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
• Dr Kiymet Bozaoglu, Senior Research Officer
• Peter Diakumis, Bioinformatics Research Assistant
• Greta Gillies, Research Assistant
• Krysta Trevis, Research Assistant

Collaborators

• The Royal Children's Hospital
• Barwon Health
• The Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
• Austin Health
• Professor Evan Eichler, Genomic Scientist, University of Washington

Funding

• Understanding the Neurobiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (Project Grants) awarded by NHMRC 2016-2020