How early life microbial exposures affect immune responses to vaccines and respiratory diseases in children
Project 2: Epigenetic ontogeny of vaccine response, susceptibility to respiratory infectious disease and asthma
This study is looking at how being around germs when you're young can affect how your immune system grows and reacts to things like infections and allergies, helping us understand why some kids might develop asthma or allergies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11051842 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how early life exposure to microbes influences the immune system's development and responses to infections, vaccines, and allergens in children. By examining the epigenetic mechanisms involved, the study aims to understand how these microbial interactions shape immune responses and contribute to conditions like asthma and allergies. The research will involve analyzing blood samples and immune responses in children to identify biomarkers that indicate susceptibility to respiratory diseases. This comprehensive approach seeks to uncover the underlying biological processes that affect children's health outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are children aged 0-11 years, particularly those with a history of respiratory infections or allergies.
Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 0-11 years or those without respiratory issues or allergies may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating respiratory infections and asthma in children.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of microbial exposures in immune development, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Children's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kollmann, Tobias R. — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kollmann, Tobias R.
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.