All organisms shed constantly traces of their DNA to the environment. Scientists can collect this environmental DNA and explore who is or was there, across kingdoms of life. Our immune system constantly faces diversity of life in the forms of microscopic organisms or small particles originating from macroscopic species such as pollens, pieces of skin and hair among others. Early in life, our immune system adapts to its current environment. Exposure to bacteria originating from natural environments educate developing immune system in beneficial way. Yet, bacteria present only a fraction of the biodiversity that immune system confronts. This project measures how exposure to organisms from all six kingdoms of life is associated with infants' immune function during the sensitive developmental period. We hypothesize that rich exposure to various organisms can support normal immune system development.

2024

2029