Westmead. Scientists have a world first

In a world first, scientists at the Westmead Millennium Institute have identified how a gene associated with allergic diseases such as asthma and eczema works, providing new hope for potential drug treatments. “Most people with asthma or eczema are atopic – meaning they have a genetic tendency for the disorders,” says Professor Tony Cunningham, the institute’s director. “So this is an important step forward in this field of genetic research. While in its early stages the research does have the potential to guide the development of new drugs and topical therapies for the treatment of allergies like asthma and eczema.”