{"id":2647,"date":"2025-09-17T15:06:45","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T05:06:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webdev.sydney.edu.au\/kolling\/research-group\/a3bc-msk-biobank\/"},"modified":"2026-07-11T10:04:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T00:04:32","slug":"a3bc-msk-biobank","status":"publish","type":"research-group","link":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/research-group\/a3bc-msk-biobank\/","title":{"rendered":"A3BC MSK Biobank"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-07579d57 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-white-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<div style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0;--etb-a-tab-btn-bg-color:#007ed5;--etb-a-tab-btn-text-color:#FBFAF3;--etb-a-tab-btn-heading-color:#FFFFFF;--etb-a-tab-image-filter:none;--etb-a-tab-bt-style:none;--etb-a-tab-bt-width:0px;--etb-a-tab-br-style:none;--etb-a-tab-br-width:0px;--etb-a-tab-bb-style:none;--etb-a-tab-bb-width:0px;--etb-a-tab-bl-style:none;--etb-a-tab-bl-width:0px;--etb-h-tab-btn-bg-color:color-mix(in srgb, currentColor 20%, transparent);--etb-h-tab-btn-text-color:#FBFAF3;--etb-h-tab-image-filter:none;--etb-h-tab-bb-color:#ab40a1;--etb-h-tab-bb-width:2px\" class=\"wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tabs has-active-etb-bg-color has-active-etb-text-color has-active-etb-heading-color has-active-etb-border has-active-etb-duotone has-hover-etb-bg-color has-hover-etb-text-color has-hover-etb-border  false\" data-id=\"15dcc441-9734-467a-b5cc-e31f82dca9f0\" data-initial-tab=\"1\" data-trigger=\"mouseover\" data-accessibility=\"true\"><div class=\"wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tabs-inner is-layout-flow wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tabs-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"etb-tabs-buttons-scrollable-with-arrows wp-container-content-9cfa9a5a\"><div class=\"wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tab-buttons has-etb-buttons-scrollable has-small-font-size is-content-justification-left is-layout-flex wp-container-easy-tabs-block-tab-buttons-is-layout-1a549490 wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tab-buttons-is-layout-flex\" style=\"border-bottom-color:var(--wp--preset--color--accent-6);border-bottom-width:1px;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\" data-selector=\"15dcc441-9734-467a-b5cc-e31f82dca9f0\" role=\"tablist\">\n<button class=\"wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tab-button has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29bc920b546c3ab7d32a99fcb9dae9d4\" style=\"color:#101827\" data-selector=\"15dcc441-9734-467a-b5cc-e31f82dca9f0\" id=\"4e2e1331-aeba-43aa-9a7c-07a74e2c1017\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"tab-4e2e1331-aeba-43aa-9a7c-07a74e2c1017\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-ff56fb5b180573e3245b4ec13836c990\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">About us<\/h2>\n<\/button>\n\n\n\n<button class=\"wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tab-button has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dcc3457aeecf2e9ca09c8535d583598f\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.185), 16px);font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1.5\" data-selector=\"15dcc441-9734-467a-b5cc-e31f82dca9f0\" id=\"64049a74-c3ff-46b3-bedc-3776ee0c7a98\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"tab-64049a74-c3ff-46b3-bedc-3776ee0c7a98\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Our Team<\/h2>\n<\/button>\n\n\n\n<button class=\"wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tab-button has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-64c179bfd75c2c242877d5ec0bfaaf5c\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.185), 16px);font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1.5\" data-selector=\"15dcc441-9734-467a-b5cc-e31f82dca9f0\" id=\"1fb17064-c4f9-417c-9167-cad2cd809405\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"tab-1fb17064-c4f9-417c-9167-cad2cd809405\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Projects<\/h2>\n<\/button>\n\n\n\n<button class=\"wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tab-button has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-06609eecd1bc75bd1cd96b2c82879793\" style=\"color:#101827\" data-selector=\"15dcc441-9734-467a-b5cc-e31f82dca9f0\" id=\"b1aa5fd3-9feb-475f-b0d4-e7aa2d858c1f\" role=\"tab\" aria-selected=\"false\" aria-controls=\"tab-b1aa5fd3-9feb-475f-b0d4-e7aa2d858c1f\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-fc8e63bdef8ffff0f650df89bd2e5a68\">Collaborations<\/h2>\n<\/button>\n<\/div><button class=\"etb-scroll-button left\" aria-label=\"Scroll to the left\"><span class=\"chevron-left\"><\/span><\/button><button class=\"etb-scroll-button right\" aria-label=\"Scroll to the right\"><span class=\"chevron-right\"><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tab-contents\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tab-content etb-animation-fade\" data-selector=\"15dcc441-9734-467a-b5cc-e31f82dca9f0\" id=\"tab-4e2e1331-aeba-43aa-9a7c-07a74e2c1017\" aria-labelledby=\"4e2e1331-aeba-43aa-9a7c-07a74e2c1017\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);flex-basis:70%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A3BC Awareness Animation\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HtDBRPp7j4A?start=1&amp;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe> \n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Australian Arthritis and Autoimmune Biobank Collaborative (A3BC) is a national research network based at the Kolling Institute. We bring together more than 70 clinicians and researchers across over 60 hospitals, clinics, universities and medical research institutes to improve the lives of people with arthritis and autoimmune diseases.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our work focuses on collecting blood and tissue samples (Biobank), along with clinical information and patient-reported outcomes (Registry), and linking these with health system data. The network also supports and enables clinical trials, sub studies and partner studies through these integrated platforms. By combining these sources, we aim to better understand why these conditions develop, how they progress, and why treatments work well for some people but not others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A3BC\u2019s unique strength is its scale and integration, connecting data, people and expertise across Australia to generate insights that could not be achieved by single sites alone. We aim to translate these insights into practical improvements in diagnosis, treatment and care.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our work aims to benefit patients through more personalised care, support clinicians with better evidence for decision-making, and strengthen the health system by improving outcomes and efficiency. Ultimately, we aim to enable earlier intervention, more precise treatment and better long-term health for Australians.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For more information:<\/strong>&nbsp;<br><strong>Please visit the A3BC website\u202f<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/a3bc.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>www.a3bc.org.au<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Publications: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/a3bc.org.au\/publications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/a3bc.org.au\/publications\/<\/strong><\/a><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Contact<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>A3BC Headquarters Project Team:&nbsp;<br>Email \u2013 info@a3bc.org.au&nbsp;<br>Phone \u2013 02 9463 1891&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Osteoarthritis Clinical Research Group is a large, highly collaborative team dedicated to advancing clinical and translational research in osteoarthritis. Bringing together expertise from multiple disciplines, the group works closely with clinicians, researchers, and industry partners to address the complex challenges associated with musculoskeletal health.&nbsp;<br><br>A key focus of the group is the development and evaluation of innovative, accessible, and technology-enabled interventions aimed at improving patient outcomes. By leveraging digital health solutions and evidence-based approaches, the team seeks to accelerate recovery and reduce the global burden of musculoskeletal pain.&nbsp;<br><br>The group\u2019s research spans epidemiology, imaging, clinical trials, novel therapies, and health services research. Through this work, the team aims to deepen understanding of osteoarthritis, enhance treatment strategies, and improve quality of life for those affected.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\" style=\"min-height:300px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"700\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-620 size-full\" alt=\"Musculoskeletal Research\" src=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/root_Content_Porthole1BOX-Musculoskeletal.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/root_Content_Porthole1BOX-Musculoskeletal.jpg 600w, https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/root_Content_Porthole1BOX-Musculoskeletal-257x300.jpg 257w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-black-background-color has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-base-color has-text-color has-link-color has-lora-font-family wp-elements-e65d612bdaff2421514e3a3389c762cd wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);font-size:clamp(18.959px, 1.185rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 1.022), 30px);font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">Musculoskeletal and rehabilitation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-f8f67980 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-75\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-base-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-border-color has-base-border-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/musculoskeletal-research\/\" style=\"border-width:2px;border-radius:30px;background-color:#00a896;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Find out more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tab-content etb-animation-fade\" data-selector=\"15dcc441-9734-467a-b5cc-e31f82dca9f0\" id=\"tab-64049a74-c3ff-46b3-bedc-3776ee0c7a98\" aria-labelledby=\"64049a74-c3ff-46b3-bedc-3776ee0c7a98\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fb7be5c4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#0000000d;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-contrast-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0df2b60564b8e462012545eec83a1e36\">Team Lead<\/h3>\n\n\n    <div class=\"team-block-page is-single-lead\">\n                    <div class=\"team-member\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"180\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Team_Professor-Lyn-March-AM-1-.jpg\" class=\" wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>                <div class=\"team-member-content\">\n                    \n                    <h3>\n                                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/profiles.sydney.edu.au\/lyn.march\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n                                Professor Lyn March AM                            <\/a>\n                                            <\/h3>\n\n                    <div class=\"team-content\">\n                        \n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Project Lead and Coordinating Principal Investigator<br>Australian Arthritis and Autoimmune Biobank Collaborative (A3BC), The University of Sydney<br>Liggins Professor of Rheumatology &amp; Musculoskeletal Epidemiology<br>Head of Department, Department of Rheumatology, Royal North Shore Hospital<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-4-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-918ab976db889b4c0e449ca011fea44f\">Team Members<\/h3>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"team-block-page\">\n                    <div class=\"team-member\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"180\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Team_Dr-Tom-Lynch.jpg\" class=\" wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>                <div class=\"team-member-content\">\n                                        \n                    <h3>\n                                                    Tom Lynch                                            <\/h3>\n                    \n                    <div class=\"team-content\">\n                        <p>National A3BC Project Officer<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"team-member\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"365\" height=\"469\" src=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Team_Meilang-headshot-copy.jpg\" class=\" wp-post-image\" alt=\"Associate Professor Meilang Xue\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Team_Meilang-headshot-copy.jpg 365w, https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Team_Meilang-headshot-copy-233x300.jpg 233w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 365px) 100vw, 365px\" \/>                <div class=\"team-member-content\">\n                                        \n                    <h3>\n                                                    Associate Professor Meilang Xue                                            <\/h3>\n                    \n                    <div class=\"team-content\">\n                        \n<p class=\"is-style-text-subtitle wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.156), 0.98rem);\">Sutton Arthritis Research Laboratory<br>Medicine, Northern Clinical School<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"team-member\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"181\" height=\"235\" src=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Team_Dr-Marita-Cross-181x234-1.jpg\" class=\" wp-post-image\" alt=\"Dr Marita Cross\" \/>                <div class=\"team-member-content\">\n                                        \n                    <h3>\n                                                    Dr Marita Cross                                            <\/h3>\n                    \n                    <div class=\"team-content\">\n                        \n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Postdoctoral Research Associate, Northern Clinical School<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"team-member\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/headshot_placeholder.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Tahi Pumi\">                <div class=\"team-member-content\">\n                                        \n                    <h3>\n                                                    Tahi Pumi                                            <\/h3>\n                    \n                    <div class=\"team-content\">\n                        <p>Research Assistant<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"team-member\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/headshot_placeholder.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"Fiona Howard\">                <div class=\"team-member-content\">\n                                        \n                    <h3>\n                                                    Fiona Howard                                            <\/h3>\n                    \n                    <div class=\"team-content\">\n                        <p>Project Officer<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tab-content etb-animation-fade\" data-selector=\"15dcc441-9734-467a-b5cc-e31f82dca9f0\" id=\"tab-1fb17064-c4f9-417c-9167-cad2cd809405\" aria-labelledby=\"1fb17064-c4f9-417c-9167-cad2cd809405\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n<div data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;autoclose&quot;: true, &quot;accordionItems&quot;: [] }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/accordion\" role=\"group\" class=\"wp-block-accordion has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-accordion-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-2&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-2-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleKeyDown\" id=\"accordion-item-2\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">Centre of Research Excellence for Better Outcomes in Inflammatory Arthritis&nbsp;<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div inert aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-2\" data-wp-bind--inert=\"!state.isOpen\" id=\"accordion-item-2-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\" style=\"margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" fetchpriority=\"low\" src=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Dr-Lara-Bereza-Malcolm-and-Assoc.-Professor-Meilang-Xue-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2796\" style=\"width:340px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Dr-Lara-Bereza-Malcolm-and-Assoc.-Professor-Meilang-Xue-1.jpg 650w, https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Dr-Lara-Bereza-Malcolm-and-Assoc.-Professor-Meilang-Xue-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Problem: Inflammatory arthritis is complex, heterogeneous, and lifelong, with limited ability to predict disease progression or treatment response.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Approach: The NHMRC-funded CRE brings together a national network of clinicians, researchers, data scientists, and consumers, leveraging A3BC\u2019s integrated biobank and registry platform to combine clinical, biological, and patient-reported data and apply advanced analytics across the life course.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Impact: Accelerates precision and prevention-focused care, enabling earlier diagnosis, more targeted therapies, and translation into clinical tools and policy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collaboration opportunity: National platform for multidisciplinary collaboration in big data, biomarker discovery, and workforce development.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;autoclose&quot;: true, &quot;accordionItems&quot;: [] }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/accordion\" role=\"group\" class=\"wp-block-accordion is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-3&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-3-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleKeyDown\" id=\"accordion-item-3\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">A3BC Registry and Biobank<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div inert aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-3\" data-wp-bind--inert=\"!state.isOpen\" id=\"accordion-item-3-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Problem: Fragmented biospecimen collections and disconnected datasets limit large-scale discovery and translation in arthritis research.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Approach: A nationally coordinated platform integrating biobanking with harmonised clinical, patient-reported, and linked health data using standardised protocols across sites.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Impact: Enables scalable, data-driven research to accelerate biomarker discovery, improve disease understanding, and advance precision medicine across the life course.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collaboration opportunity: Provides access to a national infrastructure supporting multi-centre studies, data linkage, and translational research.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Australian Rheumatology Association Database (ARAD)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;autoclose&quot;: true, &quot;accordionItems&quot;: [] }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/accordion\" role=\"group\" class=\"wp-block-accordion is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-4&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-4-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleKeyDown\" id=\"accordion-item-4\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">Australian Rheumatology Association Database (ARAD)&nbsp;<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div inert aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-4\" data-wp-bind--inert=\"!state.isOpen\" id=\"accordion-item-4-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Problem: Long-term real-world evidence on treatment outcomes and safety in inflammatory arthritis has historically been limited and fragmented.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Approach: ARAD is a legacy national registry that collected patient-reported and clinical data over many years and has now transitioned into the A3BC platform. While survey collection has concluded, ongoing value is generated through linkage to national health datasets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Impact: Provides a unique longitudinal cohort enabling insights into treatment outcomes, safety, and healthcare utilisation, supporting clinical guidelines and policy decisions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collaboration opportunity: Enables linkage-based research and longitudinal analyses within a mature national dataset integrated into A3BC infrastructure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;autoclose&quot;: true, &quot;accordionItems&quot;: [] }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/accordion\" role=\"group\" class=\"wp-block-accordion is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-5&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-5-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleKeyDown\" id=\"accordion-item-5\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">PROSPECT Clinical Trial&nbsp;<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div inert aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-5\" data-wp-bind--inert=\"!state.isOpen\" id=\"accordion-item-5-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Problem: Patients with stable inflammatory arthritis may be overtreated, increasing risks, burden, and costs without clear benefit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Approach: A multicentre randomised controlled trial evaluating medication dose-reduction strategies for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis within real-world care settings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Impact: Generates high-quality evidence to support safer, more efficient treatment pathways and inform clinical guidelines on dose optimisation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collaboration opportunity: Opportunities in data analysis, and translation into practice and policy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;autoclose&quot;: true, &quot;accordionItems&quot;: [] }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/accordion\" role=\"group\" class=\"wp-block-accordion is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-6&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-6-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleKeyDown\" id=\"accordion-item-6\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">A3BC for Kids (CHAMPION\u2011MTX)&nbsp;<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div inert aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-6\" data-wp-bind--inert=\"!state.isOpen\" id=\"accordion-item-6-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\" style=\"margin-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"433\" fetchpriority=\"low\" src=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A3BC-nodes-in-each-state-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2794\" style=\"width:340px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A3BC-nodes-in-each-state-1.jpg 650w, https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A3BC-nodes-in-each-state-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Problem: There is limited evidence to guide when and how to safely taper or stop therapies in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), leading to variation in care and potential overtreatment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Approach: A nationally coordinated MRFF-funded initiative combining the CHAMPION\u2011MTX clinical trial with integrated collection of clinical, biological, environmental, and patient-reported data through the A3BC platform.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Impact: Supports precision medicine in paediatric rheumatology, informing personalised treatment pathways, living clinical guidelines, and improved quality of life for children and families.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collaboration opportunity: National platform for paediatric trials, data integration, biomarker discovery, and consumer-engaged research.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-easy-tabs-block-tab-content etb-animation-fade\" data-selector=\"15dcc441-9734-467a-b5cc-e31f82dca9f0\" id=\"tab-b1aa5fd3-9feb-475f-b0d4-e7aa2d858c1f\" aria-labelledby=\"b1aa5fd3-9feb-475f-b0d4-e7aa2d858c1f\" role=\"tabpanel\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over 50 sites around Australia have been identified as key participant recruitment, biobanking, research and data analysis hubs in the mature A3BC network.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Australian Public Hospital Networks (NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, ACT) \u2013 Multi-centre clinical collaboration supporting national participant recruitment, biospecimen collection, and longitudinal research. Key clinical sites for recruitment include:&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Royal North Shore Hospital; Princess Alexandra Hospital; The Queen Elizabeth Hospital; Royal Perth Hospital; Fiona Stanley Hospital; Flinders Medical Centre; Royal Adelaide Hospital; The Children\u2019s Hospital at Westmead; Sydney Children\u2019s Hospital, Randwick; The Royal Children\u2019s Hospital (Melbourne); St George Hospital; Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Perth Children&#8217;s Hospital, Queensland Children\u2019s Hospital, Women&#8217;s and Children&#8217;s Hospital (Adelaide), The Canberra Hospital, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Private Rheumatology Clinics, Private Hospital and Specialist Networks (e.g. Ramsay Health Care) \u2013 extending research reach across the full scope of rheumatology community care settings.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Universities (University of Sydney, UNSW, Monash University, University of Queensland, ANU, University of Adelaide, Macquarie University) \u2013 Academic partnerships supporting translational research, data science, and workforce development.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Medical Research Institutes (e.g. Kolling Institute, Frazer Institute, Murdoch Children\u2019s Research Institute, Harry Perkins Institute, Basil Hetzel Institute) \u2013 Collaborative sites providing supporting research infrastructure and expertise for biobanking, clinical trials, multi\u2011omics, advanced analytics, systems biology and discovery science.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Biobank and Tissue Platforms (e.g. NSW Statewide Biobank, Biospecs \u2013 The Kids Institute, Victorian Cancer Biobank) \u2013 Infrastructure and biobanking service providers supporting standardised biospecimen processing and access.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Consumer and Peak Bodies (Australian Rheumatology Association, Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia, Arthritis Australia, Australia &amp; New Zealand Musculoskeletal (ANZMUSC) Clinical Trials Network) \u2013 Collaboration in research design, priority setting, advocacy, and translation to ensure research is aligned with patient and community needs.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pathology Providers \u2013 Supporting biospecimen collection and integration with clinical workflows.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Industry Collaborators \u2013 Supporting clinical trials, biomarker discovery, novel therapeutics, multi\u2011omics data generation and translation of research into practice.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":416,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2647","research-group","type-research-group","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"team_leads":[3202],"team_members":[3397,3149,3395,3218,3219]},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/root_Banners_Raymond-Purves.jpg",2000,590,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/root_Banners_Raymond-Purves-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/root_Banners_Raymond-Purves-300x89.jpg",300,89,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/root_Banners_Raymond-Purves-768x227.jpg",768,227,true],"large":["https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/root_Banners_Raymond-Purves-1024x302.jpg",1024,302,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/root_Banners_Raymond-Purves-1536x453.jpg",1536,453,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/root_Banners_Raymond-Purves.jpg",2000,590,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"ict-wordpress-support@sydney.edu.au","author_link":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/author\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research-group\/2647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research-group"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/research-group"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research-group\/2647\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6741,"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research-group\/2647\/revisions\/6741"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/team-members\/3219"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/team-members\/3218"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/team-members\/3395"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/team-members\/3149"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/team-members\/3397"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/team-members\/3202"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kollinginstitute.org.au\/news_demo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}