Allergic Disease Epidemiology

Asthma inhalers on table against blurred background. Space for text

We investigate the longitudinal development of common chronic diseases, focusing on allergic diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. In this context, we examine the roles of environmental and life-style factors, genetic markers, and metabolic processes.

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About our Research

The research group Allergic Disease Epidemiology aims to investigate how our environment and life-style play a role in the onset and progression of common chronic health problems, with a focus on allergic diseases.

We apply epidemiological statistical modelling techniques to understand the complex interplay of environmental and life-style factors with metabolic and immunological processes, and further, to determine whether their associations with chronic diseases are caused or modified by genetic variants.

The group uses data from questionnaires and biosamples collected in two ongoing birth cohort studies (GINIplus and LISA). These data, covering the period from birth to young adulthood, can be combined with information collected in the adult KORA study, allowing for a life-course approach.

Natural Course

Applying an epidemiological life-course approach, we aim to describe the natural course and trends in prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases. Especially since allergic diseases differ with regard to timing of onset, progression and remission, their development and trajectories are important aspects of growing interest.

Entwicklungs- und Wachstumsschritte eines Gänseblümchens, grüner Hintergrund und Sonnenschein.

Early life and predisposition

Exposures during early childhood and genetic predisposition can impact the development of the immune system and the onset of allergic diseases. We aim to identify and quantify these within the German GINIplus and LISA birth cohorts.

Life-style and environmental factors

Our goal is to better understand how allergic diseases are influenced by life-style (e.g. diet, physical activity), environment (e.g. neighborhood and build environment characteristics, greenness and air pollution), genetic and metabolic factors, and their interplay.

People Activities in City Park Flat Vector Concept

Role of Comorbidities

We further aim to disentangle allergic diseases from frequently-associated comorbidities, such as adiposity and mental health, and their determinants.

young hispanic woman looking angry, annoyed and frustrated. asthma concept

Dr. Marie Standl

Head of Research Group 'Allergic Disease Epidemiology', Head (ad interim) of Research Group 'Lung Epidemiology', Statistician View profile

Lika Palabiyik

Study Nurse

Ines Trentinaglia

Data Manager

Sarah Wagner

PhD Student

Lisa Maier

PhD Student

Carla Harris

Research Fellow

Maike Ferland

B.Sc., Data Manager

Birgit Schmuck

Study Doctor

Elke Luxenburger

Technician

Megi Vogli

Research Fellow

Mingming Wang

PhD Student

Dr. Elisabeth Thiering

Postdoc, Statistician

Sonja Braun

Doctoral Student

Claudia Zeller

Technical Assistant

Bacteria microscopic close-up 3D rendering

Funded by ERC starting grant | 2021-2026

ALLERGENE

The aim of ALLERGENE is to understand the complex interplay of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors, and to identify involved mechanisms that distinguish between young adults free of allergic diseases and those suffering from allergic multimorbidity.

Funded by BMBF | 2021-2024

ABROGATE

ABROGATE aims to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of food allergies. At Helmholtz Munich, the role of genetics and epigenetics as well as the influence of lifestyle factors on the development of food allergy are being investigated in large epidemiological cohort studies.

Funded by DFG | 2021-2024

STAMCARH

The project aims to understand whether early-life risk factors determine the levels of steroid hormones (both adrenal and gonadal) in adolescence, and how these hormones in turn relate to metabolism and cardiometabolic health outcomes.

Funded by DFG | 2021 - 2024

COVGENAIR

The aim of COVGENAIR is to assess the role of chronic diseases, environmental and genetic variation and their interplay on the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the long-term post-COVID-19 health outcomes on the respiratory, cardiometabolic and neurological system.

View Research Group 'Environmental Risks'

Corona Virus im Inneren des Körpers - Wuhan Virus

Funded by | Duration?

EAGLE

The Early Genetics and Lifecourse Epidemiology Consortium is a consortium of pregnancy and birth cohorts that aims to collaborate to investigate the genetic basis of phenotypes in antenatal and early life and childhood. EAGLE covers a broad range of pathways and phenotypes.

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GINIplus

The GINIplus study is an ongoing, long-term, population-based prospective birth cohort study covering two regions in Germany. The aim of the GINIplus study is to describe health and disease development from infancy to young adulthood, specifically allergic diseases and to assess the impact of different feeding regimens in infancy, environmental exposures, life-style factors and genetic predisposition.

GiniPlus

LISA

The LISA study is an ongoing, long-term, population-based prospective birth cohort study covering four regions of Germany. The aims of the LISA study are to monitor the development and natural course of atopic diseases and to investigate the influence of life-style and environmental factors.

LISA

See all

2022 Allergy doi/10.1111/all.15511

Kilanowski A, Thiering E, Wang G et al.

Allergic disease trajectories up to adolescence: Characteristics, early-life, and genetic determinants

2022 Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02267-1

Greimel E, Adams L, Zsigo C et al.

Psychopathological symptoms as precursors of depressive symptoms in adolescence: A prospective analysis of the GINIplus and LISA birth cohort studies

2022 Biomolecules DOI: 10.3390/biom12101333

Harris CP, Ramlochansingh C, Uhl O et al.

Association of Maternal Diet during Pregnancy and Metabolite Profile in Cord Blood

2022 Allergy Doi:10.1111/all.15315