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Research

The role of bacterial infections during infancy in asthma development

In this project we are studying how interactions between bacteria and viruses in children's airways promote the development of allergy and asthma.

Research

Modulation of the postnatal maturation of immune function during early life: studies on the effects of natural infections and exposure to the bacterial-derived immunoenhancer OM85

Severe winter lower respiratory infections in early life are known to be major risk factors for subsequent development of asthma, and it is also known that the high susceptibility to these infections in infants is due to the functional immaturity of their immune systems.

Research

Immune function during early adolescence positively predicts adult facial sexual dimorphism in both men and women

Our results support a fundamental assumption that facial sexual dimorphism is an indicator of immune function during the development of facial sexual dimorphism

Research

Protection against maternal infection-associated fetal growth restriction: Proof-of-concept with a microbial-derived immunomodulator

This study suggests that broad-spectrum protection-of-pregnancy against infection-associated inflammatory stress represents an achievable therapeutic goal

Research

Identification and characterization of a dendritic cell precursor in parenchymal lung tissue

This is the first study to describe a pulmonary precursor cell for dendritic cells in lung tissue

Research

Multiancestry association study identifies new asthma risk loci that colocalize with immune-cell enhancer marks

We identified new asthma loci, found new associations at loci implicated in the comorbidity of asthma plus hay fever and confirmed nine known loci.

Research

Transiently increased IgE responses in infants and pre-schoolers receiving only (DTaP) vaccines compared to those initially receiving at least one dose of DTwP vaccine

Confirm the generalised IgE-trophic activity of the DTaP vaccine in pre-schoolers and demonstrate similar (albeit transient) effects in infants

Research

Severe winter asthma exacerbations can be prevented by omalizumab, but there is no carryover effect.

Recurrent severe asthma exacerbations are associated with decreased lung growth or accelerated loss of long function and add substantially to cost and morbidity

Research

Birth cohorts in asthma and allergic diseases: Report of a NIAID/NHLBI/MeDALL joint workshop

Population-based birth cohorts on asthma and allergies increasingly provide new insights into the development and natural history of the diseases.