Farm-related microbes that may protect children's airways
Project 3: Interactions between microbial metabolites, airway pathogens and airway epithelial cell function
This project looks at whether microbes and their products found in farm-like environments help keep young children's airways healthy and lower allergy and asthma risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11322019 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers compare airway microbes from children raised in traditional farm settings (like some Amish communities) with those from other children to find microbes linked to fewer allergies and respiratory illnesses. They use samples from the Wisconsin Infant Study Cohort and related groups to map which bacteria and their metabolites are present. In the lab, the team grows human airway epithelial cells and tests how candidate microbes and their products affect infection by viruses and bacteria and epithelial barrier function. The goal is to find microbes or microbial products that strengthen airways and reduce infections and allergic inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Infants and young children (and their families) willing to provide nasal/airway samples and health information, especially those from or near farm or Amish communities, would be ideal participants.
Not a fit: Adults, people without airway or allergy concerns, or those with unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or reduce childhood allergies, wheezing illnesses, and asthma by promoting protective airway microbes or their products.
How similar studies have performed: Prior observational work, including the Wisconsin Infant Study Cohort, has linked farm exposures and specific airway bacteria (e.g., Corynebacterium, Dolosigranulum) with lower allergy and asthma risk, but translating those findings into therapies is still novel.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gern, James E. — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Gern, James E.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.