January 20, 2025, 14:00 CET

with

DI Clara-Elvira POGNER

Research Engineer
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology

Online Seminar via Zoom or in person
Link and password upon request
Please write an e-mail to: swetlana.gerkhardt@med.uni-augsburg.de

Abstract:
Bioaerosol is composed of different particles, originating from various organisms, including bacteria, fungi and plants. Some of the airborne species are known to inflict adverse health effects like infections or allergies. Identification and describing the airborne diversity has been carried out for over 100 years, and more recently the use of molecular genetic tools has been implemented. These tools, comprise various analytical methods, are influenced by the sample processing before DNA analysis and can only detect, what has been sampled from air. However, up to now there are no established protocols or standards for detecting airborne diversity implemented, on which sampling campaigns can be based on. An overview of successful used sampling, processing and analytical procedures will be given, and strengths and limitations of molecular genetic methods discussed. With correct implementation as well as consideration of the unknowns, the combination of high quality environmental data, exposure measurements and studies on the effect of allergens in the respiratory tract could foster the establishment of dose-response-relationships for allergy inducing bioaerosols.