Page 7 - FSANZ AUTUMN -2023

hope in burden of mitochondrial disease
Monash IVF Group Chief Scientific Officer, Associate Professor Deirdre Zander-Fox, added:
“Mitochondrial donation cannot cure people with existing mitochondrial disease or prevent mitochondrial disease caused by mutations in an individual’s nuclear DNA,
but it can help minimise the risk of a child inheriting mitochondrial disease from their mother with
the help of IVF.”
The intensive research project will be based at the Monash University BDI laboratories with national partners including Professor Rebecca Robker at the University of Adelaide and collaboration with Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, where the world’s first mitochondrial donation program is being offered.
Mary Herbert, Professor of Reproductive Biology at the Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University and Scientific Director at Newcastle Fertility Centre, is moving to Monash as a key member of the research team.
Recognised globally as a pioneer of mitochondrial donation, Professor Herbert said: “Our team is uniquely placed to optimise and translate mitochondrial donation technology into an Australian clinical trial setting.
“Concurrently, we will build a knowledge base to improve the efficacy of mitochondrial donation, monitor safety and establish the feasibility of wider implementation.”
Sean Murray, CEO of the Mito Foundation, said if successful the mitoHOPE Program would allow members of the Australian mito community to have their own biological children free from the disease.
“For some families, this will end generations of devastation from the impacts of mito,” he explained.
The Mito Foundation is Australia’s peak body dedicated to supporting and empowering people affected by mitochondrial disease. It provides resources and support services for patients, carers and families while increasing awareness and education of this devastating condition.
Catherine Mills
The success of the program will depend on the willingness of Australian women to donate eggs for reproductive purposes
Professor Catherine Mills from the Monash Bioethics Centre, working closely with the Mito Foundation, will ensure the mitochondrial disease community is engaged in all aspects of developing the trial.
“This will underpin best practice care to ensure the psychosocial well-being of participants and their families, minimise the burden of participation, and enable equitable and ethical operation of the trial,” Professor Mills said.
The success of the MitoHope program will depend on the willingness of Australian women to donate eggs for reproductive purposes and for use in research to improve the technical procedures.
“We will be calling on women to consider egg donation for this incredibly important cause,” Professor Mills said.
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