Allergy and Lung Health
Research Overview
The Allergy and Lung Health Unit is internationally recognised for conducting research into the genetic, molecular and environmental epidemiology of allergies, asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). These interrelated diseases are major public health issues, with asthma being a National Health Priority in Australia. Our focus is to identify the causes of these conditions and how best to prevent them.
Core to our research program are two large longitudinal studies spanning the life course, the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS) and the Melbourne Atopy Cohort Study (MACS). Both studies are funded by National Health & Medical Research Council. The Unit currently includes six research fellows, a large number of higher degree research students, and excellent research support staff. We collaborate in multiple projects in the field, including local studies such as HealthNuts based at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and international studies such as the European Community Respiratory Health Survey, the largest international study of adult asthma.
We collaborate with several world renowned research institutes nationally and internationally, including the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, the University of Tasmania, Monash University, Imperial College (UK), German Research Centre for Environmental Health, the University of Bergen in Norway and Boston University (USA).
We have a strong publication track record including articles in Lancet, BMJ and Nature Genetics. Our findings have informed both policy and practice such as infant feeding guidelines, diagnostic algorhythms and air quality guidelines.
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/heating-and-cooking-at-home-linked-to-asthma
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/the-long-term-benefits-of-controlling-your-asthma
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/are-australia-s-roads-giving-you-asthma
https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/how-allergies-may-get-under-our-skin
Staff
Professor Shyamali Dharmage (Unit Head)
Honorary Staff
Dr Elasma Milanzi
Prof Mark Hew
Dr Richard Wood-Baker
Prof Haydn Walters
A/Prof Heinrich Weber
A/Prof Melanie Pereira
Prof Achim Heinrich
Dr Bircan Erbas
Jonathan Pham
Prof Seif Shaheen
Prof Michael Abramson
Dr Gayan Bowatte
Dr Daniel Jonathan Tan
Dr Haruhisa Oda
Dr Disala Welgama
Research Projects
- Predictors and consequences of allergies that impact on children getting a healthy start to life
- What causes adult asthma, COPD and sleep disordered breathing
- Trans-generational effects: exposures before conception & offspring risk of asthma and allergies
- The PEBBLES study: A randomised controlled trial to prevent eczema, food allergy and sensitisation using a skin barrier improvement strategy
- A novel strategy for the early diagnosis of COPD in middle-aged adults
Faculty Research Themes
School Research Themes
Prevention and management of non-communicable diseases (including cancer), and promotion of mental health, Screening and early detection of disease
Key Contact
For further information about this research, please contact Professor Shyamali Dharmage
Department / Centre
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Unit / Centre
MDHS Research library
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