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Trying to beat asthma caused by exerciseProfessor Graham Hall is leading a study looking at exercise-related asthma in young children, and we need volunteers to take part.
News & Events
Telethon Institute research provides new insights into the cause of asthma attacksTelethon Institute for Child Health Research scientist Dr Anthony Bosco has been recognised for his cutting edge research investigating asthma attacks
Research
The role of bacterial infections during infancy in asthma developmentIn 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 OM85Severe 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
Characterisation of lung function trajectories and associated early-life predictors in an Australian birth cohort studyThere is growing evidence that lung function in early-life predicts later lung function. Adverse events over the lifespan might influence an individual’s lung function trajectory, resulting in poor respiratory health. The aim of this study is to identify early-life risk factors and their impact on lung function trajectories to prevent long-term lung impairments.
Research
Airway-associated adipose tissue accumulation is increased in a kisspeptin receptor knockout mouse modelAirway-associated adipose tissue increases with body mass index and is a local source of pro-inflammatory adipokines that may contribute to airway pathology in asthma co-existing with obesity. Genetic susceptibility to airway adiposity was considered in the present study through kisspeptin/kisspeptin receptor signalling, known to modulate systemic adiposity and potentially drive airway remodelling.Â
Research
Prenatal influenza vaccination and allergic and autoimmune diseases in childhood: A longitudinal, population-based linked cohort studyFew studies have evaluated the effect of maternal influenza vaccination on the development of allergic and autoimmune diseases in children beyond 6 months of age. We aimed to investigate the association between in utero exposure to seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) and subsequent diagnosis of allergic and autoimmune diseases.
Research
The influence of sunlight exposure and sun protecting behaviours on allergic outcomes in early childhoodThe dramatic rise in allergic disease has occurred in tandem with recent environmental changes and increasing indoor lifestyle culture. While multifactorial, one consistent allergy risk factor has been reduced sunlight exposure. However, vitamin D supplementation studies have been disappointing in preventing allergy, raising possible independent effects of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.
Research
Multiancestry association study identifies new asthma risk loci that colocalize with immune-cell enhancer marksWe identified new asthma loci, found new associations at loci implicated in the comorbidity of asthma plus hay fever and confirmed nine known loci.
Research
Intrauterine Growth Restriction Promotes Postnatal Airway Hyperresponsiveness Independent of Allergic DiseaseIntrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with asthma. Murine models of IUGR have altered airway responsiveness in the absence of any inflammatory exposure. Given that a primary feature of asthma is airway inflammation, IUGR-affected individuals may develop more substantial respiratory impairment if subsequently exposed to an allergen. This study used a maternal hypoxia-induced mouse model of IUGR to determine the combined effects of IUGR and allergy on airway responsiveness.