Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in children and often starts early in life. Yet, we still do not fully understand why some children develop asthma while others do not. To prevent the disease, we first need to understand how and when it begins.
Elin Kersten’s research focuses on the earliest stages of asthma development. She studies the nose, where inhaled air first comes into contact with the body. In early life, the nasal mucosa and the bacteria living there, the microbiome, play an important role in shaping the immune system. Subtle differences in these early interactions may influence whether a child becomes more vulnerable or protected against asthma.
This project uses data from the Lifelines NEXT birth cohort, in which children are followed from pregnancy into childhood. Nasal brush samples were collected at 3 and 12 months of age to study both the bacteria present in the nose and how the nasal mucosa responds. At school age, these children are assessed for asthma, allowing researchers to link early-life biology to later disease.
By combining microbiome data with gene activity in the nasal mucosa, this study aims to identify early biological signals of asthma. The goal is not only to better understand how asthma develops, but also to explore whether children at risk can be identified before symptoms arise. Ultimately, this could open the door to new strategies for prevention and early intervention.
