Investigating how farm living affects allergies and asthma in children
Official title: Cohort Administration and Biorepository Core
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11075804 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how growing up on farms might help protect kids from asthma and allergies, and it will follow babies from a Mennonite community to learn more about their health and the role of things like farm animals and unpasteurized milk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | April 7, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $223,660 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI175113-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075804 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children, particularly those from farming communities or with a family history of allergies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a family history of allergies or asthma, or who are older than 11 years, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the relationship between living on farms and the reduced risk of asthma and atopic diseases in children. It examines factors such as exposure to farm animals, unpasteurized milk, and the microbial diversity in farm homes. The study will follow a cohort of infants from the Old Order Mennonite Community, who are at low risk for these conditions, to gather data on their health outcomes and biological markers. By creating a biorepository, the research aims to support further studies on the early development of allergies and asthma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing asthma and allergic diseases in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown a correlation between farm living and lower rates of asthma and allergies, suggesting that this research builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seppo, Antti — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Seppo, Antti
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.