Indroducing Mitochondrial Donation into Australia: Healthy Outcomes Pilot and Evaluation (MitoHOPE)

Commonwealth Department of Health

Role

Principal Investigator

Description

MitoHOPE is an Australian wide mitochondrial donation and reproduction options program designed to safely meet the needs of people who have mitochondrially coded mitochondrial disease. Mitochondrially coded mitochondrial disease (mito hereafter), is matrilineally inherited, and can cause life-long illness, suffering and debility. It often shortens life. Mitochondrial donation is a reproductive technology that can reduce the chances of mito being passed on to children. Participants: The focus of this project is Australian citizens who have a diagnosis of mito or are nearing diagnosis, are of reproductive age and seeking to build their families, but are concerned about the possible impacts of mito disease being passed on to future children. Intervention: MitoHOPE has formed a consortium with MonashIVF and other agencies to provide safe yet efficient access to reproductive options for women, including mitochondrial donation. MitoHOPE will establish two world class laboratories that will refine mitochondrial donation technologies – one for research purposes, the other embedded in MonashIVF for use in the later treatment phase of the project. Outcome: MitoHOPE aims to increase health practitioner knowledge about mito, and shorten the diagnostic odyssey often experienced by those with mito. It aims to refine the existing technology and offer safe mitochondrial donation to women with mito across Australia. MitoHOPE has collaborated and will continue to do so with mito consumer organisations to achieve the best service experience for consumers.

Date

01 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2027

Project Type

GRANT

Keywords

mitochondrial disease;mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA);mitochondrial genetics;assisted reproductive technology (ART);complex genetic disease