Asthma Foundation of Western Australia Research Programme 2010

Asthma is a disease that causes inflammation in the airways due to abnormal reactions by some people to their environment.

Each year the Asthma Foundation of WA supports local research projects that have been judged by independent, international and national assessors of the highest quality.

This year, the projects that have received support will examine:

• A test to measure antibodies (proteins found in the body that assist with immunity) that can block allergic reactions
• Damage by oxidants (by-products of normal metabolism that can injure tissues of the body) to respiratory cells in asthma and allergy
• How cells lining the airways fail as a barrier to irritants in asthma patients
• The effects of fish oil supplements on asthma
• Regulation of allergy in early life.

Ongoing projects that have received support are currently investigating:

• How different types of inflammation causes narrowed airways in asthma
• Effects of Vitamin D on the development of asthma
• Regulation of inflammation in asthma
• Immune genes that increase or decrease reactions in the lungs

Through this support, Western Australia enjoys a high standing internationally in the investigation of asthma and is recognised as a leader in the fight to overcome this disease that directly affects the lives of 1 in 5 Western Australians.