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Twins help unlock new insights into immune health in major Australian study

Snow Centre for Immune Health

Key Facts:

Australian-first twin study will recruit 100 pairs of identical and non-identical twins aged 18 to 80 to investigate why people respond differently to infections, diseases and treatments.

Using the Snow Centre’s Cyton2 Cell Timer model technology to track how immune cells act over time, the study will examine how immune function varies by age, sex, and genetic inheritance.

By comparing twins who respond differently to the same immune challenges, researchers can estimate how much of the differences are genetic and how much are environmental.

The findings will support advances in personalised medicine and more targeted treatments for immune-related conditions, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and others.

An Australian-first study of twins will seek to find out why two genetically similar people respond differently to infections, diseases and treatments.

The Snow Centre for Immune Health and the University of Melbourne’s Twins Research Australia (TRA) will recruit 100 pairs of identical and non-identical twins as study participants.

The study aims to provide rare insight into how much of our immune function is written in our DNA, and how much is shaped by experiences and the environment we live in.

Twins aged 18 to 80 will be studied using the Snow Centre’s Cyton2 Cell Timer model to track how immune cells behave over time and examine how immune function varies by age, sex, and genetic inheritance. This tool can reveal when immune cells activate, how long they persist, and why responses vary so widely between individuals.

Based at the University of Melbourne, TRA is one of the world’s largest volunteer twin research registries.

Dr Lucas Calais-Ferreira, Director of TRA, said that twin studies offer a unique scientific advantage because they reveal not just how much immune variation is genetic, but how genetics and environment work together.

“By comparing twins who respond differently to the same immune challenges, researchers can estimate how much of the differences are genetic and how much are environmental,” he said.

“The findings help build the foundation for personalised medicine and more targeted treatments for immune‑related conditions, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and others.”

By combining twin research with real-time immune tracking, the project has the potential to unlock practical advances in personalised medicine, from predicting who will respond best to a vaccine, to reducing treatment side effects and guiding smarter prevention strategies.

Professor Jason Tye-Din, Director of the Snow Centre, said, “The Cyton2 Cell Timer technology is like switching from a photo to a video. You can see motion and timing that a still image cannot show.”

This dynamic view may help researchers predict how people will respond to vaccines or treatments, including who may benefit most or experience stronger side effects.

“The Snow Centre brings cutting-edge immunology, and TRA brings decades of experience in twin research,” Professor Tye-Din said.

“Together, we can find answers neither could find alone and help improve how immune-related conditions are understood and treated.”

The study is seeking identical and non-identical twins aged 18-80. If interested, visit www.twins.org.au

Twins pictured in the image
Nicole and Amanda Campbell are identical twins who have previously participated in studies for Twins Research Australia. Nicole has Crohn’s disease, and Amanda has MS, both in remission. Their different lived experiences are important for the Snow Centre’s focus on immune health and show how twin research can help explain why genetically similar people can experience very different immune-related health outcomes.

Available for interview

Professor Jason Tye-Din, Director, Snow Centre for Immune Health

Dr Lucas Calais-Ferreira, Director of Twins Research Australia

About us:

About the Snow Centre for Immune Health

The Snow Centre for Immune Health is tackling the major global health challenge of immune health. The Snow Centre has a bold and ambitious global mission to improve the lives of people with immune diseases, using a unique approach to immune health.

Co-led by WEHI and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, in partnership with the Snow Medical Research Foundation, the Snow Centre brings together leading Australian and international researchers with a shared mission to transform how we research and treat the immune system. The Snow Centre is funded by an initial commitment of up to $100 million over 10 years – one of the largest and longest-running philanthropic partnerships in Australian history.

Contact details:

Inga Feitsma, Marketing and Communications Manager, Snow Centre for Immune Health 
M: +61 408 657 741
E: [email protected] 

Danielle Galvin, Media Advisor, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Melbourne University 
E: [email protected] 
M: 0439 301 953