The key factors involved in asthma exacerbation include: allergen exposure, air pollution, stress, andrespiratory virus infection. We are in need of better tools to improve diagnosis, to predict disease progression,and to monitor efficacy of treatment. Multiple genetic and phenotypic changes account for basic mechanismsthat are responsible for the patient response to a particular treatment. Accordingly, knowledge of thesechanges, i.e., biomarkers, may have significant diagnostic and prognostic value. Here we propose toinvestigate the relationship between levels of air pollution, viral infection, and asthma exacerbation amongindividuals living in Fresno. The project would utilize the unique, complementary strengths and resourcesavailable at Fresno State and UCSF Fresno in collaboration with the Center for Comparative Medicine,University of California, Davis We have begun realize the need for newly developed multiplex imrnunoassaytools to assess host immunomodulators (cytokines, chemokines) in serum of asthma patients. Thisimrnunoassay detection system is based on novel features of multiplex instrumentation and microbead labelingthat has been developed by Luminex Corp. (Austin, TX). The proposed project is focusing on building thebiomedical research on the use of this robust diagnostic tool for molecular profiling. This project has thepotential to improve the lives of asthmatics in the region by providing information to physicians to guide them inthe diagnosis and prognosis of patients.
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