News 2024

The ARMADA project is funded by a joint research alliance between the
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the Agence National de la Recherche (623.826 € for 36 months). The funding enables the laboratories from lead principal investigator Prof. Dr. Markus Weckmann (Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center and University of Lübeck) and his co-lead Prof. Dr. Patrick Berger (University of Bordeaux, Cardio-Thoracic Research Center) to undertake advanced genomic analysis to explore the role of epigenetic changes in asthma development. Epigenetic regulation provides a fine-tuning mechanism of the human body to adapt better to environmental exposures (see also Reddy and Weckmann, ERJ 2023).

The uniqueness of this consortium lies in its interdisciplinary approach, which unites world-renowned experts with emerging young scientists. Prof. Weckmann, an epigeneticist and distinguished asthma researcher, collaborates with Dr. Reddy to investigate epigenetic mechanisms using cutting-edge multi-omics techniques, with a particular focus on sex differences. Prof. Berger, a highly respected authority in pediatric asthma and bronchial specimen analysis, has brought together leading specialists, including Prof. Laurence Delhaes, Prof. Thomas Trian, and Dr. Pauline Esteves, to enhance the consortium’s expertise in mycology, next-generation sequencing, and epithelial cell models of viral infections.

The project also collaborates with clinical centers in Lübeck (Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergology) and Bordeaux (Department of Pediatric Pneumology, University Hospital of Bordeaux) that provide access to pediatric cohorts (e.g. All-Age-Asthma cohort) for sample collection and follow-up.

This project aims to unravel the complex interactions between respiratory infections, immune responses, and asthma development in children, with a particular focus on epigenetic regulation. While it is well-known that respiratory infections, especially with human rhinovirus (HRV), increase the risk of asthma in early childhood, the precise mechanisms remain elusive. The project stands out because of its approach by integrating epigenetic data with immunological and microbial insights, offering a more comprehensive understanding of asthma pathophysiology. The unique use of both in vitro models and in vivo clinical data provides a robust framework for identifying potential therapeutic targets.

Understanding the epigenetic mechanisms that underpin asthma development has significant implications for public health. Identifying early biomarkers for asthma could lead to improved screening and preventive strategies for at-risk children. The project's findings could also inform the development of epigenetic therapies aimed at modifying harmful immune responses or enhancing protective "trained immunity." Moreover, the insights gained from studying microbial interactions with the respiratory system may extend to other chronic respiratory conditions and even beyond, such as in cancer research where similar epigenetic mechanisms are involved.

This comprehensive research endeavour holds the promise of advancing the field of pediatric respiratory medicine and establishing new paradigms in chronic disease prevention and treatment.

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