Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre
Team
Respiratory Environmental Health projects
Reports and Findings
The respiratory health effects of acute in vivo diesel and biodiesel exhaust in a mouse model
Biodiesel, a renewable diesel fuel that can be created from almost any natural fat or oil, is promoted as a greener and healthier alternative to commercial mineral diesel without the supporting experimental data to back these claims. The aim of this research was to assess the health effects of acute exposure to two types of biodiesel exhaust, or mineral diesel exhaust or air as a control in mice.
Published research Airway Epithelial Research Respiratory Environmental Health Subsite: Walyan Biodiesel studies Lung functionMucopolysaccharidosis (MPS IIIA) mice have increased lung compliance and airway resistance, decreased diaphragm strength, and no change in alveolar structure
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA (MPS IIIA) is characterized by neurological and skeletal pathologies caused by reduced activity of the lysosomal hydrolase, sulfamidase, and the subsequent primary accumulation of undegraded heparan sulfate (HS). Respiratory pathology is considered secondary in MPS IIIA and the mechanisms are not well understood.
Published research Respiratory Environmental Health Subsite: Walyan Lung functionAn infant mouse model of influenza-driven nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae colonization and acute otitis media suitable for preclinical testing of novel therapies
Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a major otitis media (OM) pathogen, with colonization a prerequisite for disease development. Most acute OM is in children <5 years old, with recurrent and chronic OM impacting hearing and learning. Therapies to prevent NTHi colonization and/or disease are needed, especially for young children. Respiratory viruses are implicated in driving the development of bacterial OM in children.
Published research Ear Infections Influenza Infectious Diseases Pregnancy and Early Life Immunology Vaccine Trials Group Airway Epithelial Research Respiratory Environmental Health Subsite: Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Bacterial Respiratory Infectious Disease Group Subsite: Walyan Strep A & ARF TherapeuticsTreatment with inhaled aerosolised ethanol reduces viral load and potentiates macrophage responses in an established influenza mouse model
Treatment options for viral lung infections are currently limited. We aimed to explore the safety and efficacy of inhaled ethanol in an influenza-infection mouse model.
Published research Pregnancy and Early Life Immunology Airway Epithelial Research P4 Respiratory Health for Kids Respiratory Environmental Health Bacterial Respiratory Infectious Disease Group Subsite: Walyan BREATH