For researchers | Australian Autism Biobank

Help advance our understanding of how biological and environmental factors are linked to autistic health and wellbeing.

The Australian Autism Biobank is Australia’s largest collection of data and samples from autistic children and their families.

This page outlines how researchers can apply to use resources from the Australian Autism Biobank for approved research purposes. The Biobank includes biological samples and data (including whole genome sequencing), and behavioural, socio-economic, and health data from internationally-validated tools and questionnaires. This page contains a breakdown of participant numbers, sex and age groups, a link to the applications page, and a sample of the latest publications and resources from research projects using Biobank data and samples.

Watch the video for an overview of opportunities for autism research using the Australian Autism Biobank.

Almost 3,000 people participated in the Australian Autism Biobank.

Infographic of family with bubbles showing the the demographics of the Biobank: 1154 autistic children, 774 mothers of autistic children, 523 fathers of autistic children, 261 non-autistic siblings of autistic children, 150 non-autistic, non-related children, 15 children with unclear diagnosis.

Infographic showing the age of child participants: 33% 2-4 years, 55% 5-12 years, 12% 13-18 years

Infographic showing the sex of child participants. Autistic children were 79% male, 21% female. Non-autistic siblings were 48% male, 52% female. Non-autistic, non-related siblings were 49% male, 51% female.

Almost 3,000 people participated in the Australian Autism Biobank.

Age of child participants

Most of the children that participated were 5-12 years old.

Sex of child participants

Most of the autistic children were male. The mix of male and female participants was more equal in the other groups.

Graph showing the sex. Autistic children were 79% male, 21% female. Non-autistic siblings were 48% male, 52% female. Non-autistic, non-related siblings were 49% male, 51% female.

Using the Australian Autism Biobank

All applications are considered 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

Latest publications

Projects using collections from the Australian Autism Biobank have already resulted in findings that are helping to improve the health and wellbeing of autistic people, with many more projects underway. The latest publications are listed below, but you can find a full list on our Publications and resources webpage.

Eyles, D., Vaseleva, S., Yap, C., Whitehouse, A., & Gratten, J. (2024). Absence of association between maternal adverse events and long-term gut microbiome outcomes in a cohort from the Australian Autism Biobank. Brain, Behaviour & Immunity - Health. doi.org/10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100814.
Shirley J., John J.R., Montgomery A., Whitehouse A., Eapen V. (2024). Utilising behavioural and sensory profiles and associated perinatal factors to identify meaningful subgroups in autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. Jun 6. doi: 10.1007/s10803-024-06421-3.
Bartzis, K., Baker, E., Richdale, A., Arnold4, S., Trollor, J. Do general health, sleep quality and fatigue contribute to cardiovascular disease risk in autistic adults? [Poster]. INSAR Annual Meeting 2024, 15-18 May. International Society for Autism Research.

View full list of publications and resources

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.