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Research
Respiratory allergen from house dust mite is present in human milk and primes for allergic sensitization in a mouse model of asthmaThese data highlight that antigen administration to the neonate through the oral route may contribute to child allergic sensitization and have important...

The Foundations of Lung Disease Team is focused on improving the diagnosis, treatment, and lifelong care of childhood lung disease.

The Respiratory Environmental Health team conducts research in early life determinants of lung growth and development, respiratory environmental health, and mechanisms of airway dysfunction in asthma and other respiratory disease.
Research
Sensitizing and Th2 Adjuvant Activity of Cysteine Protease AllergensHere, we report on a model that does not use Th2-skewing adjuvants and yet achieves sensitization solely via the nasal mucosa.
Research
LPS binding protein and activation signatures are upregulated during asthma exacerbations in childrenAsthma exacerbations in children are associated with respiratory viral infection and atopy, resulting in systemic immune activation and infiltration of immune cells into the airways. The gene networks driving the immune activation and subsequent migration of immune cells into the airways remains incompletely understood. Cellular and molecular profiling of PBMC was employed on paired samples obtained from atopic asthmatic children during acute virus-associated exacerbations and later during convalescence.
Research
Stiffness Mediated-Mechanosensation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells on Linear Stiffness Gradient HydrogelsIn obstructive airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein amount and composition of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) is often remodelled, likely altering tissue stiffness. The underlying mechanism of how human ASM cell (hASMC) mechanosenses the aberrant microenvironment is not well understood.
News & Events
Asthma steroid without side effectsWestern Australia has joined a major international study that could significantly change the treatment of asthma in children.
Research
Quantifying airway remodelling for research or clinical purposes: How should we normalize for airway size?Citation: Donovan GM, Wang KCW, Elliot JG, James AL, Noble PB. Quantifying airway remodelling for research or clinical purposes: How should we
Research
Could home-based FeNO measurements breathe new life into asthma management?Developing a FeNO test that is affordable enough to allow daily measurements, patients will be able to access quantifiable data to assist them to monitor their asthma
Research
Systems biology and big data in asthma and allergy: recent discoveries and emerging challengesWe describe recent "omic"-level findings, and examine how these findings have been systematically integrated to generate further insight