Twin Research Registry at SRI International Seeks Bay Area Twin Pairs for a Seasonal Flu Vaccine Study at Stanford University
SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development institute, is seeking healthy fraternal and identical twin pairs for the second year of a flu vaccine study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. This year's vaccine covers both the seasonal and the H1N1 flu. The goal of the Stanford University-led study is to identify immunological responses and develop more effective flu vaccines.
"Influenza is a major cause of illness and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Understanding how the influenza virus causes disease could help us develop even better vaccines and other preventive measures," said Yvonne Maldonado, M.D., Chief of Pediatric Infectious Disease at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford.
Only twins who did not participate in last year's study are eligible to join. All volunteer participants will receive compensation and the approved influenza vaccine given to the public.
The Twin Research Registry at SRI International is seeking volunteers who are within easy driving distance to Stanford University. Volunteers of the following ages are needed:
- 8-17 identical twins only (parent/guardian registration and approval required)
- 18-30 fraternal and identical
- 40-59 fraternal and identical
- 70-100 identical twins only
"Volunteers who are able to give their time in order to help scientists conduct health studies and determine more effective treatments are extremely valuable and appreciated," said Gary E. Swan, Ph.D., director of SRI's Center for Health Sciences, which is partnering with Stanford to evaluate results from twin pairs who participate in the flu vaccine study. "Over the years, twin volunteers have contributed to greater understanding of genetic influences on health. We hope that twin pairs will see study participation as an opportunity to protect themselves from the flu and help advance research."
Volunteers can join the Twin Research Registry at SRI International, a valuable science resource that reflects the diverse population of the region. The registry was established in 1995 by SRI's Center for Health Sciences, and currently includes more than 2,600 adult twin registrants. Registry members have participated in studies focusing on the pharmacokinetics of nicotine, metabolism of commonly used medications, genetic susceptibility to cancer-causing chemicals, and sleep patterns in young twins.
To volunteer or for more information, call 1-800-SRI-TWIN (1-800-774-8946) or visit SRI's Twin Research Registry.
