Food Allergy Biobank
Food allergies in children can be serious and sometimes life-threatening. Australia has some of the highest allergy rates in the world, with around one in 10 infants affected by their first birthday. For many families, this can mean daily anxiety and strict food avoidance, which often affects their quality of life.
The most accurate way to diagnose a food allergy is an oral food challenge (OFC). This involves eating a small amount of the suspected allergen under close medical supervision. While effective, OFCs can be resource-intensive, time-consuming, and carry the risk of a reaction.
Researchers are working to develop safer, faster, and more reliable tests. To achieve this, they need access to samples and health information from children with – and without – food allergies.
The NACE, in partnership with The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne, has established the NACE Food Allergy Biobank. The Biobank is a nationally significant resource that brings us closer to a future where food allergies can be detected and treated more safely and effectively.
Published research
All journal publications, reports and media activity about any research completed using the Biobank will be made available here on the NACE website.
Who can take part?
This initiative will collect and securely store blood and saliva samples, along with allergy health information, from children attending the RCH Allergy Clinic. The clinic is the largest of its kind in Australia.
By contributing to the Biobank, families will play a vital role in supporting research, which aims to:
- Discover new biological markers of food allergy
- Improve the way allergies are diagnosed and managed
- Reduce reliance on OFCs
- Advance allergy care for children in Australia, and worldwide.
What’s involved?
Patients and their families will be sent information about the Biobank when they are booked to attend an OFC at RCH.
A Biobank staff member will contact each patient and their family before the appointment to help address questions they may have and assess their interest in participating.
On the day of the OFC, after consent is given, patients will be invited to provide a blood and saliva sample.
All samples and information will be safely and securely stored and used for ethically approved research.
For further information contact us
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