Twin Research Opportunities

Would you be interested in helping with a research project involving twins?

 Twinsonline is often asked for twins of all ages to come forward to help with research. Often this involves answering questions or possibly being interviewed on the telephone or in person.

Researchers if you have any research opportunities please e-mail  giving details of

• What age group you are wanting to research,
• Which sex twins you would like to research (or if it is unimportant please specify this)
• When you will be expecting to do your research
• What people will be expected to do in the study (answer a questionnaire, be interviewed on the telephone, be interviewed or observed in person etc
• Where you will be doing your research (which country)
• Contact numbers, e-mail address etc
• Closing date for entries
• What you can offer the participants if applicable (such as expenses, accommodation, a mention in your publication, a gift or remuneration for their help)

Please note that the research is conducted by external (non-Twinsonline) companies and individuals. Any research you undertake you do so at your own risk Twinsonline cannot be held responsible.

Twins Research Unit, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK

St. Thomas’ Hospital in London have the Twins Research and Epidemiology unit dedicated to Twin research in the UK.

The Twin Research Unit (TRU) at St Thomas’ Hospital London was established in 1992 and is now part of King’s College London.  Research focuses on determining the environmental and genetic factors that cause common conditions such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, obesity, stroke, migraine, cataracts, glaucoma and back pain.  With over 60 publications in the last 2 years alone, the TRU - with the help of over 10,000 twins  - has made a significant contribution to science and our understanding of what causes common diseases.  We hope our discoveries will further aid the development of future potential therapies for such diseases.  Our achievements have gained considerable press coverage and we have featured a number of times on BBC1’s CityHospital.  The TRU is supported by The Wellcome Trust, Arthritis Research Campaign, British Heart Foundation, Chronic Disease Research Foundation, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, and the European Commission.

In order to participate in our ongoing research, we ask same-sexed twins (identical and non-identical twins, male or female, age 16 and older) to participate in a research visit at St. Thomas’ Hospital London, Monday to Friday.  The visit involves completing questionnaires and taking measurements such as height, weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.  We also carry out a bone mineral density scan and an eye test and other tests depending on our research areas at the time.  We are able to forward the clinical results to you and your GP (if agreed) – a great health check our twins tell us!  All data collected and used as part of the study is, of course, anonymous. 

Twins who are interested in contributing to research but are unable to come to St Thomas,’ are still invited to receive our newsletter and complete our questionnaire which is posted out annually.  However, for us to be able to use the information both twins in a twin pair must agree to participate in the research.  Our newsletter  summarises our research and findings and also features a ‘Twins in the News’ section and new publications about twins. We hope you enjoy it.  For further information, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

• Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology Unit
• King’s College London
• St Thomas’ Campus,
• Lambeth Palace Road,
• London
• SE1 7EH

TEL: 0207 188 5555

Email: twinrecruitment@gstt.nhs.uk

Website: http://www.twinsuk.ac.uk/

Twin Research into relationship differences between siblings and Twins.

Hi, I am Nicola Harling, a psychology student at the University of Portsmouth. As a final year dissertation I am looking at relationship differences between siblings and twins. This study requires data from fraternal or identical twins, same or opposite sexed, aged 16 years upwards, with both halves of a dyad completing an online questionnaire

If any of your organisation would be interested in participating, I would really appreciate it. The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes, and is based around self-esteem, sibling relationships and relationships with significant others.

This is a current study, to which must close by the end of January 2010. At present the study is set up to be anonymous as per the ethical guidelines but if acknowledgement is preferred then we will be more than happy to do so in publication.

To take part please follow this link:

http://tinyurl.com/yfdr34d

Or if a hard copy is preferred, please contact me at psy70744@myport.ac.uk or on 07823887075.

Many Thanks for your time and support.

Nikki

Dated added 03/01/10

The British Diabetic Twin Study is an ongoing study and we would be most grateful for any advertisement and help you could provide to help us recruit more twins.

• We are looking for Twins with Diabetes as well as Healthy Twins
• We are interested in Both Males as well as Female Twins
• Our Research is ongoing and presently we are investigating Epigenetic changes in Twins.
• Participants will be expected to be interviewed as well as to give a small blood and buccal cell sample the latter using a tooth brush.
• The study is being performed at Barts and The London Hospital Queen Mary University of London.
• ·Our Contact details are: Administrator Stephanie Cunningham email: Stephanie.cunningham@qmul.ac.uk ; Tel:02078822482 or 02078822365
• We are willing to pay for reasonable travel as well as subsistence expenses or we can travel to the Twins whichever is preferable. Participants will be acknowledged in future publications but individuals cannot be named for anonymity.

• Best Regards

Mohammed I Hawa

If you would like to be contacted next time there is a Research request please add yourself to the list below

©Copyright  Twinsonline www.twinsonline.org.uk 2003-2010      All Rights Reserved.

Page Last Updated

February 05, 2010 

Disclaimer:- Twinsonline is here as a guide only - anything you do you do at your own risk
 If you have a health concern please go see the relevant member of your health team (GP, Health Visitor, Midwife, Obstetrician)