Early Life Origins of Health and Disease

The Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study is the world’s first pregnancy-intensive cohort study and is one of the largest medical research studies in Australia. WIRF hosted the early beginnings of this project and continues to be a major contributor. The Study commenced in 1989 with the recruitment of 2900 women who were less than 18 weeks pregnant at King Edward Memorial Hospital.

Initially, the focus of this study was to examine the effects of repeated ultrasound imaging and placental blood flow studies during pregnancy; however, the long-term value of this unique cohort was also recognised, and the study continued into childhood, adolescence and now adulthood. Over the past 27 years, the 2868 children born into the Raine Study, and their parents, have generously participated in 11 cohort reviews at ages 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 14, 17, 18, 20, 23 and now 27. The Raine Study now encompasses many special interest study groups, includes more than 150 Australian and international researchers, and contributes to numerous multinational research consortia.

The Raine Study continues to generate new insights into the genetic and environmental antecedents of complex human diseases, including: coronary heart disease, stroke, insulin resistance, type-two diabetes and high cholesterol levels, obesity, neurological disorders and mental illness. The Study is currently conducting the 27 year cohort review. This review is focused on cardiovascular health and the distribution of fat inside the body.

Over the Study’s 27 year history, more than 300 peer-reviewed journal articles have been published. More than 15 of these articles have been published in prestigious journals such as Nature, Nature Genetics and the Lancet. The Study’s rich resources include thousands of measurements on each participant, and millions of genetic data-points. The generosity of the Raine Study participants and families will enable the study team to continue to contribute to the global research community and support health development for many years into the future.
 

• Raine Genetic Epidemiology Research Group
• Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) Axis Research Group
• Stress across the lifespan, from conception through adolescence to adulthood
• The long term consequences of assisted reproduction on development of the offspring: a prospective cohort study – ‘growing up healthy study’

The original research nurse team, headed by Prof John Newnham, started the Raine Study in 1989. Mothers of the Raine Study participants were recruited at around 18 weeks pregnancy from King Edward Memorial Hospital and surrounding private clinics between 1989 and 1991.  A total of 2,900 women were enrolled into the study and their babies became the Raine Study cohort. There were 2,868 babies born including 60 sets of twins and 2 sets of triplets. These mothers completed questionnaires during their pregnancy, had ultrasound measurements and provided information for the study. After birth and subsequently when their babies were one, two and three years old, the mothers and their babies participated in follow-up assessments.

Today the Raine Study team is made up of management, administrative and research staff and headed by the Director Professor Peter Eastwood and Deputy Director Professor Leon Straker. The team includes an Operations Manager, Administrative Officer, Data and Biosamples Manager, Communications Manager, Scientific Officer, Database Manager, two Senior Research Officers, a Phlebotomist, Data Officer, Data Entry Officer and Research and Laboratory Assistants. The collection of data is overseen by core staff who conduct the cohort recruitment and assessments and have been involved in each cohort followup. The whole Raine Study team is very dedicated to the Raine Study and its participants.

Aggie Bouckley  BCom, ASA
Operations Manager

To be appointed
Data and Biosamples Manager

Louise Mckenzie
Database Manager

Data Officer
To be appointed

Diane Wood BAppSci, Grad Dip Nut, Dip Ed
Senior Research Officer; FollowUp Manager; Participant Engagement Coordinator

Alex D’Vauz BSc (Hons), Masters in Health Promotion
Senior Research Officer; Deputy Scientific Officer; Deptuty Operations Manager

Dr Manon Dontje PhD
Scientific Officer

Suzanne Green
Phlebotomist; Research Assistant

Monique Priston BSc
Research Assistant

Annabel Gabb BSc
Research Assistant

Rachel Peake BSc(Hons) and BMedSci(Hons)
Research Assistant

Bee Lay Addis PGCert
Administrative Officer