For researchers | Australian Autism Biobank

The Australian Autism Biobank is aiding our knowledge and understanding of the autism spectrum and co-occurring conditions. It contains Australia’s largest collection of biological, behavioural, environmental and medical information of children on the autism spectrum and their families. A total of 4,500 biological samples, as well as behavioural and questionnaire data are stored within the Australian Autism Biobank. Participants were mainly primary school-aged children.  

In 2020-21, Autism CRC commissioned the generation of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data for more than 1,500 participants. Initial sequencing has been carried out on DNA samples from 437 families (children on the spectrum, non-autistic siblings, mothers and fathers) who participated in the Australian Autism Biobank between 2014 and 2018.

This page includes a breakdown of participant numbers, sex, and sample collected, a link to the applications page and the latest publications from research projects using Biobank data and samples. 

Infographic showing the participants' demographics. Almost 3,000 people participated in the Australian Autism Biobank: 1,154 children on the autism spectrum 774 mothers of children on the spectrum, 523 fathers of children on the spectrum, 261 non-autistic siblings, 150 non-autistic and non-related children, and 15 children who queried on the autism spectrum.
Infographic showing the sex of participants. Of the child participants with sex recorded, majority of children on the spectrum were male. Children on the spectrum: 79% male, 21% female. Non-autistic siblings: 48% male, 52% female. Non-autistic, non-related children: 49% male, 51% female.
Infographic of age groups. The majority (53%) )of child participants were primary school aged. 32% were preschool aged, and 15% were high school aged.
Inforgraphic of biological samples types. From our child participants, we collected samples for blood, urine, stool and hair. We collected the following child samples: 1,201 blood, 387 stool, 571 urine, 640 hair. We also collected 1,595 blood samples from parent participants.

Using the Australian Autism Biobank

For researchers to access the Australian Autism Biobank, they need to complete an application process and be approved by the Autism CRC Access Committee. You can find out how to apply, and what data and samples are available, on the application process page.

Find out how to apply

Current research

The Australian Autism Biobank has approved a variety of projects across different research areas relating to autism including better and earlier autism diagnosis (including subtyping), motor development, sensory subtyping, behavioural characteristics of females on the spectrum and a range of co-occurring conditions and health issues such as anxiety, gastrointestinal disorders, sleep disorders and oral health. As research publications and other outputs become available they will be listed below.

View full list of research outputs

Contact

For more information, contact the Australian Autism Biobank at biobank@autismcrc.com.au.

Acknowledgements

Autism CRC would like to thank the children on the autism spectrum, their siblings and parents and other children who generously contributed their time and data/samples for the Australian Autism Biobank.

Autism CRC acknowledges and thanks the various sites and their staff who supported the establishment of the Australian Autism Biobank: Telethon Kids Institute, University of NSW, La Trobe University, Mater Medical Research Institute, Institute for Molecular Biosciences: University of Queensland, Wesley Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Pathwest and Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Andrew Whitehouse, Dora Abbondanza, Gail Alvares, Erin Beattie, Jolene Berry, Vandhana Bharti, Grace Christou, Dominique Cleary, Paul A Dawson, Melanie De Jong, Cheryl Dissanayake, Kendra Dommisse, Valsamma Eapen, Mira Frenk, Jacob Gratten, Rachel Grove, Claire Hafekost, Maryam Haghiran, Alexis Harun, Nicole Hayes, Anjali Henders, Honey Heussler, Helen Holdsworth, Anneliese Hopkins, Anna Hunt, Rachel Jellett, Feroza Khan, Lauren Lawson, Deborah Lennon, Jodie Leslie, Anne Masi, Nisha Mathew, Tiana McLaren, Candice Michael, Melanie Muniandy, Melissa Neylan, Michaela Nothard, Brooke Peden, Mridu Radhakrishnan, Ola Rajapakse, Emma Raymond, Felicity Rose, Natalie Silove, Ashley Thomson, Leanne Wallace and Naomi Wray.