Chief Investigator: Dr Damon Tumes

Funding Amount : $99,188

Recipient: University of South Australia

Overview:

Childhood asthma is a significant burden on children and their caregivers. Bacterial and viral respiratory infections have been associated with development of childhood asthma. For example, approximately 50% of children who develop respiratory syncytial virus-associated bronchiolitis develop asthma or chronic wheezing within two years. However, it remains unknown how respiratory infections during early life can predispose the airway for asthma. We propose to define the molecular mechanisms by which respiratory infections permanently change the airway and predispose for asthma. This will allow us to define targets for treatments that block the development of asthma before it occurs.