The effect of exercise and environmental exposures on the airways

The main research question of this PhD project is whether physical activity in combination with environmental exposure, such as diesel exhaust, chlorine or cold air, provokes an inflammatory response in the airways, by inducing airway epithelial damage and the activation of the innate and/or adaptive immune system.

Following aims will help us to unravel this question:

AIM 1: Investigate physical activity and environmental exposures in asthmatic patients in real-life – epidemiological survey

AIM 2: Investigate the role of the immune system in the development of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction with or without environmental exposures – in vivo animal studies

AIM 3: Investigate the effect of exercise and environmental exposures on the airways of asthmatic patients and healthy individuals – clinical studies