Research group Pediatric respiratory infection and immunity

Aims

We bring together expertise from diverse backgrounds in biomedical sciences, clinical practice, practical application, and epidemiology. Operating primarily from the Radboudumc in The Netherlands, and maintaining very close collaborations with our colleagues and friends in South Africa and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, we are united by a common purpose: to improve outcomes for children with respiratory tract infections.

This geographical spread enables us to explore a broad range of factors influencing respiratory tract infection immunity, from nutrition and environmental impacts to ethnic disparities in susceptibility and immunological response. Our collaborative setup fosters knowledge-sharing and cross-cultural learning among team members, enhancing our collective understanding. In addition, our collaborative framework across these three countries offers valuable opportunities for (PhD) students to engage in international exchanges, enriching their perspectives on pediatric respiratory health on a global scale.

• Use respiratory samples as biosensor

  We use respiratory samples as biosensors, offering real-time insights into the mucosal immune response, to improve clinical decision-making in pediatric respiratory infections. Analyzing proteins, pathogens, and immune cells in these samples unveils the dynamic interplay between host defenses and pathogens. Moreover, respiratory sampling (e.g. saliva collection) is child-friendly, unlike blood draws. Our goal is to integrate respiratory sampling into routine practice, improving prognosis and tailoring treatment for individual patients, thereby optimizing clinical care.

• Identify mucosal immune-based therapies

  We explore the respiratory mucosa’s immunological landscape in children to discover innovative immune-based therapies for pediatric respiratory tract infections. These therapies aim to enhance local immune defense against respiratory pathogens. Through a combination of preclinical studies, translational research and clinical studies including patients we strive to develop targeted interventions that improve respiratory tract infection outcomes for vulnerable children worldwide.

Publications

See the publication list of the research group leader on Web of Science.