Future grant applications 

Have you thought about including the twin design in your next grant applications?

Twin and family studies provide an extra level of evidence about the complex interactions between the genome and the environment by minimising the variation and amplifying the focus on the disease and exposures, in the most cost effective way. Twins Research Australia would like to assist researchers in exploring ways in which different twin designs could enhance their next grant application.  If you are planning to submit a grant and would like to discuss further with us please contact Kate Murphy (murphyks@unimelb.edu.au).

Research career opportunities

1. New twin research project seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow/Experienced Research Assistant

2.  Unique position as Assistant Professor in Human Health and Lifespan at D-IAS

3.  Two postdocs in multi-disciplinary aging research (epidemiology and general practice)

Epidemiology postdoc
Further information can be obtained from the Head of the Danish Aging Research Center, Professor Kaare Christensen, telephone +45 6550 3049, email kchristensen@health.sdu.dk

General Practice postdoc
Further information can be obtained from the Head of the Research Unit for General Practice, Professor Jens Søndergaard, telephone +45 65503691, email jsoendergaard@health.sdu.dk

See the full job advertisement online here. Applications close 21st October, 2018

Recent publications

Media releases:

• Twin ambitions. Brigid O’Connell, Herald Sun (Australia).
• How Music Works: What Happens to your Brain when you Sing? ABC interview
• Twins needed for research into first impressions. 6PR News Talk podcast interview

Journal articles:

• Is the Association Between Obesity and Hip Osteoarthritis Surgery Explained by Familial Confounding? Epidemiology.
• Effect of dietary fat intake and genetics on fat taste sensitivity: a co-twin randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
• An open-source, integrated pedigree data management and visualization tool for genetic epidemiology. International Journal of Epidemiology.
• Genome-wide average DNA methylation is determined in utero. International Journal of Epidemiology.

Do you have upcoming research to be published?

Just a reminder that when referring to Twins Research Australia during the course of your research please ensure you use our new name and logo. Also, a gentle reminder to use the following wording when acknowledging Twins Research Australia in your publications:

“This research was facilitated through access to Twins Research Australia, a national resource supported by a Centre of Research Excellence Grant (ID: 1079102), from the National Health and Medical Research Council.”

An electronic copy of all publications should be sent to info@twins.org.au.

From our recent member eNews: What determines sensitivity to fat

With the help of TRA-member twins, new research has found a taste for fat is not driven by genetics, rather it’s all down to diet. The study at Deakin University found that a high-fat diet decreased a person’s sensitivity to the ‘taste’ of fat, irrespective of their body weight or genetics. People who have a lower sensitivity to fat taste, end up eating far more kilojoules from fat - because they need more to feel full – which can lead to weight gain. More details here.

Want your research featured in our member eNews?

We like to keep TRA members updated on study progress and findings through our member eNews, which is sent out to all members on the twins registry 3-4 times a year. Please send an email to info@twins.org.au if you would like your research featured in an upcoming member eNews.