Our Research
Allergies are chronic problems which impede the dietary and social lives of not only those with the allergy, but their families and communities. According to the World Health Organization, the percentage of persons with sensitivity to allergens--i.e trigger the allergic response of immune cells is 40% and climbing (World Health Organization). From the seasonal allergies with symptoms of runny noses to severe allergies which can trigger anaphylactic shock and death within minutes, allergies pose a serious threat to the community if those with it are not careful. If successful, our research could add to the current body of work on allergy control and be of use to a great number of people with allergies upon discovery.
Our Proposal
This project proposes to manipulate the cells of allergic response, known as IgE cells, in order to cease the reaction of the allergy immune response. To do this, we will research into the IgE receptor FcεR1 which is the most integral part of the allergic response because it binds to immune cells such as basophils and mast cells after IgE cells are formed after initial detection of allergens.
