DNA and Autism: We are what we eat!
A$15,490
of $15,000 targetyrs ago
Successful on 9th Dec 2013 at 9:00AM.
The environment affects everyone. We need to be aware of the effects to be able to make a choice, with what we interact with. We believe that some types of compounds found in food cause changes to DNA by turning specific genes off (gene silencing), however we need to collect evidence to test this hypothesis.
This will be undertaken by collecting cheek cells found in saliva from autistic individuals. We will be able to extract the DNA from the cheek cells and then analyse each sample for gene silencing of regions which we found have been silenced in our preclinical research by our experimental condition. This will be compared with DNA from neurotypical individuals to see if gene silencing increases the risk for autism. In addition, we will develop a survey to ascertain if parents of autistic individuals ate more 'at risk' foods during conception as well as in utero.
This will be undertaken by collecting cheek cells found in saliva from autistic individuals. We will be able to extract the DNA from the cheek cells and then analyse each sample for gene silencing of regions which we found have been silenced in our preclinical research by our experimental condition. This will be compared with DNA from neurotypical individuals to see if gene silencing increases the risk for autism. In addition, we will develop a survey to ascertain if parents of autistic individuals ate more 'at risk' foods during conception as well as in utero.
About Us
We are the Boonians. We are a group of scientists dedicated to understanding how the environment affects our hormones and DNA, leading to brain and behavior changes. Our fearless leader is Senior Research Fellow Wah Chin Boon (The Boon).
We are world-class scientists from the Florey Institute of Neurosciences and Mental Health, based at The University of Melbourne.
We are world-class scientists from the Florey Institute of Neurosciences and Mental Health, based at The University of Melbourne.
Social Media
Like us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dnaautism
Follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBooniesLab
Follow us on twitter: https://twitter.com/TheBooniesLab
Introducing... the Boonian Esky by Hui Kheng!
Hui Kheng brightens up everyone’s day in the lab with her colourful designs. She is known in the Florey for her beautifully decorated lab eskies.
We’ll be giving away two HUI KHENG DESIGNED LAB ESKIES in a raffle. You can purchase one CUSTOM DESIGNED for a $1000 pledge (along with the shout out, bookmark and the day with us). These lab eskies are priceless, and take a long time to design and decorate. You’ll be the envy of all of your lab mates with one of these, while everyone else carries around their boring plain white esky.
We understand not everyone can drop $1000 for an piece of artwork, so we will these off, so you can have a chance to get one. We’ll be selling tickets. Each ticket is rewarded at $40. If you pledge $250, we’ll give you 12 tickets (more value), so you greatly increase your chance of winning one.
Please note that the custom designed eskies must be in Hui Kheng's style and must be deemed appropriate by her for maximum quality. Please contact us in regards to the design if you have any questions before making a pledge.
Examples of Hui Kheng's work. Eskies will be of similar style but brand new.
We’ll be giving away two HUI KHENG DESIGNED LAB ESKIES in a raffle. You can purchase one CUSTOM DESIGNED for a $1000 pledge (along with the shout out, bookmark and the day with us). These lab eskies are priceless, and take a long time to design and decorate. You’ll be the envy of all of your lab mates with one of these, while everyone else carries around their boring plain white esky.
We understand not everyone can drop $1000 for an piece of artwork, so we will these off, so you can have a chance to get one. We’ll be selling tickets. Each ticket is rewarded at $40. If you pledge $250, we’ll give you 12 tickets (more value), so you greatly increase your chance of winning one.
Please note that the custom designed eskies must be in Hui Kheng's style and must be deemed appropriate by her for maximum quality. Please contact us in regards to the design if you have any questions before making a pledge.
Examples of Hui Kheng's work. Eskies will be of similar style but brand new.
The Challenges
All scientific projects involving humans must obtain a 'human ethics clearance'. This ensures that each project follows strict ethical guidelines, and ours is no exception. This process can be fairly lengthly and we expect it to take several months. We will keep backers updated.
<b>Boonians love you.</b> Your name will forever be on our acknowledgments post on facebook and linked on twitter.
8 chosen
Est. delivery is Oct 13
<b>Boonians love you even more.</b> An individual shout out on facebook and twitter from us.
8 chosen
Est. delivery is Oct 13
A single ticket to go in the draw to win one of five lab eskies designed and decorated by Hui Kheng.
3 chosen
Est. delivery is Oct 14
<b>Boonified Bookmark.</b> A cute little bookmark to thank you for your support. Bookmarks will be individually designed and drawn ourselves in 'Hui Kheng Style'. You will also receive a shout out on twitter and facebook too. Price includes international postage.
9 chosen
Est. delivery is Mar 14
Thanks for your support. You'll get 3 tickets for the esky raffle, two bookmarks (1 for you and 1 gift?) and an individual shout out.
5 chosen / 15 available
Est. delivery is Oct 14
12 tickets to go in the draw to win one of five beautiful lab eskies, drawn and designed by Hui Kheng. You will also receive the $25 level reward and the $50 level reward. International shipping included.
2 chosen
Est. delivery is Oct 14
<b>Honorary Boonian for the day.</b> Come visit our lab and we’ll show you around. We'll show you the type of work we do on a daily basis and how equipment works. NOTE: You must be able to travel to the Melbourne Brain Centre in the city to receive this reward.
4 chosen
Est. delivery is Mar 14
<b>Honorary Boonian.</b> You get one CUSTOM design and drawn lab esky by Hui Kheng. The esky must be in Hui Kheng's style, and must be discussed and subject to her approval. Also included are the $25, $50 and $500 level rewards. You must be able to travel to the Melbourne Brain Centre in Australia to get the $500 dollar reward. If you do not wish to claim this reward, the esky will be shipped to your door.
4 chosen / 16 available
Est. delivery is Oct 14
<b>Angel Investor.</b> You have substantially contributed to our progress, and we will show our appreciation by putting your name in the acknowledgement section of any resulting publication. You also get the $25, $50, $500 and $1000 level rewards. Note that you must be able to travel to the Melbourne Brain Centre to receive the $500 level reward.
1 chosen / 9 available
Est. delivery is Jan 16