The A3BC aims to:
- Establish a national data registry and network of biobanks to support ground-breaking research into arthritis and autoimmune conditions through the collection of high quality biospecimens (e.g. blood) and information (data) from large numbers of participants across Australia;
- Collect and integrate disease biology data (genes, cells, antibodies), linked hospital and Commonwealth health data, and questionnaire data from participants, such as medical history, medications, function, quality of life, diet and environmental exposures, and store this data in a highly secure database for future research use;
- Promote the use of new technologies for analysing these data, known as ‘big data’ analysis, to look for patterns and associations that may lead to safer and more effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment for these conditions.
The A3BC headquarters (and lead adult site) are based at the Institute of Bone and Joint Research, a division of the Kolling Institute of Medical Research in Sydney (within the Royal North Shore Hospital precinct), however this is a truly national project and the PI team represent the leading rheumatology research institutes across Australia. Key research and health organisations making up our network nodes include:
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) in VIC – also lead paediatric site,
- University of Sydney’s Westmead Campus in NSW,
- NSW Health Pathology Statewide Biobank,
- Diamantina Institute at the University of Queensland,
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at QLD University of Technology,
- Basil Hetzel Institute and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in SA,
- Flinders Medical Centre in SA,
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research (South) in WA, and
- John Curtin School of Medical Research in the ACT.