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The Pregnancy and Early Life Immunology team's overall research vision is targeted towards understanding immunological development during early life.

Early biomarkers predictive of autism

This study aims to investigate the cellular and molecular profiles of the immune system in infants at high/low risk for Autism, as determined through clinical assessment.

Epigenetic changes underpinning allergen sensitization: a twin-based study

We are studying immune cells from identical twins of which one suffers and one does not suffer from allergic disease to identify specific mechanisms that may play important roles in disease development.

Finding the cellular explanation for recurrent asthma exacerbations

This study is designed to identify the specific unique immune cell response that occurs in these children with recurrent disease.

Targeting the mucosal immune system in a pregnant mouse model to prevent experimental allergic airways disease in the offspring

Studies in Europe show exposure of pregnant women to high levels of microbial products stimulate immune function maturation in their offspring

The cellular effects of estrogen on allergic asthma

The study aims to identify the mechanism for this so that this knowledge can be used to better treat asthma and allergies in both males and females.

Mechanisms of IgE sensitization

This project investigates how cells of the immune system respond to substances to cause allergies to help develop new treatments.

Targeting the mucosal immune system in a mouse model to prevent pregnancy complications following maternal bacterial infection

This work is the first step to develop safe treatments for pregnant mums to protect against preterm delivery and low birth weight caused by maternal infections.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced interferon response networks at birth are predictive of severe viral lower respiratory infections in the first year of life

Appropriate innate immune function is essential to limit pathogenesis and severity of severe lower respiratory infections (sLRI) during infancy, a leading cause of hospitalization and risk factor for subsequent asthma in this age group.

Airway and parenchymal transcriptomics in a novel model of asthma and COPD overlap

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common chronic respiratory diseases, and some patients have overlapping disease features, termed asthma-COPD overlap. Patients characterized with ACO have increased disease severity; however, the mechanisms driving this have not been widely studied.