Identifying biomarkers of susceptibility to air pollution-induced oxidative stress and respiratory disease

Air pollution is a major driver of respiratory disease, affecting millions of people worldwide and placing a significant burden on health systems and communities. Oxidative stress and epithelial injury are key biological mechanisms linking air pollution exposure to adverse respiratory health outcomes. However, not everyone responds to air pollution in the same way. Understanding why some individuals are more susceptible than others is critical for developing targeted prevention strategies and improving public health. Our research group investigates the biological pathways underlying individual susceptibility to oxidant-induced respiratory injury. Using primary human nasal epithelial cells cultured as fully differentiated respiratory epithelium at the air-liquid interface, we have developed innovative models to assess susceptibility to oxidative stress. We have also established a simplified screening approach using mitochondrial respiration measurements in monolayer cell cultures. This HDR project aims to take the next step by identifying transcriptomic and DNA methylation signatures of oxidative stress susceptibility that can be detected from simple nasal swab samples. The development of a reliable molecular signature would create powerful new opportunities to: investigate susceptibility to air pollution in large population studies and birth cohorts; expand research into regional and remote communities where advanced laboratory facilities are unavailable; improve understanding of how environmental exposures influence respiratory health across the lifespan; and support future precision health approaches for prevention and intervention. 

For more information, please contact Dr Ayaho Yamamoto