Foundations of Lung Disease

Welcome to the Foundations of Lung Disease team page

We are a collaborative research team dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and lifelong management of lung disease in children and young people. Our work spans clinical, mechanistic, and population-based research, with a focus on ensuring research is rapidly translated into practice. Through strong partnerships with clinicians, researchers, and the community, we drive innovation in respiratory health and contribute to national and international clinical guidelines that shape the care of children worldwide.

Mission

To improve the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of lung disease in children and young people.

Vision

To drive innovation and foster scientific excellence in respiratory medicine, with a primary focus on enhancing the health and wellbeing of children and young people affected by lung disease.

Our research program spans three core areas:

1. Understanding Childhood Lung Disease

Through valuable cohort studies, we aim to uncover the underlying causes and mechanisms of a wide range of childhood lung conditions, including bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and prematurity-associated lung disease. Our research involves:

• Identifying age- and disease-appropriate methods that are sensitive to early changes in lung function
• Investigating disease progression through studying lung health from infancy to adulthood
• Examining the influence of early-life clinical exposures, structural lung changes, and respiratory symptoms on disease progression and long-term outcomes
• Identifying individuals who would benefit from treatment or require closer monitoring
• Investigating disease mechanisms through integrated laboratory research and partnerships with specialists in genomics, metabolomics, and related disciplines

This foundational research deepens our understanding of how childhood lung diseases develop and persist into adulthood.

2. Improving Treatments for Childhood Lung Disease

Our team is committed to advancing evidence-based care through:

• Identifying critical periods for intervention to prevent chronic respiratory disease
• Identifying treatable traits to inform personalised approaches to therapy
• Conducting interventional trials to improve treatments for childhood lung disease

By targeting modifiable risk factors and key intervention windows, we aim to develop and refine therapies that ensure brighter futures for children and young people with chronic lung conditions

3. Translating Research into Practice

We are committed to ensuring our research drives real-world impact by:

• Embedding consumer and community involvement throughout the research process to ensure relevance, accelerate implementation, and improve health outcomes
• Partnering with health professionals and researchers at local, national, and international levels
• Generating high-quality evidence to support improved clinical care, education, and health service delivery
• Contributing to and authoring national and international clinical guidelines
• Expanding the evidence base that informs best practice in the management of childhood respiratory disease

This translational focus ensures our discoveries lead to better care and better outcomes for children everywhere.