Ongoing Projects
Understanding Infant Immunity to RSV and Long-Term Health Impacts
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common winter virus that can cause serious lung infections in babies, especially those under six months old. Although most infants catch RSV in their first winter, younger babies seem to have weaker immune responses, and those infected early may be more likely to develop asthma later in childhood. This five-year study explores how the age at which a baby is exposed to RSV shapes their immune response and future respiratory health. By identifying key immune pathways involved in early-life protection, this research could inform better RSV vaccine strategies and improve long-term health outcomes for children in Canada and elsewhere.
Uncovering Why Preterm Infants Have Weak Immune Defenses
Preterm infants are more vulnerable to serious infections. This research investigates how energy metabolism and protein production in immune cells are linked to poor immune responses in preterm babies. We’ve found that these cells struggle to generate energy and activate key immune pathways, partly due to changes in a molecule called DDIT4L, which may block important signals needed for immune activation. Our goal is to identify new ways to enhance immune function in preterm infants and discover biomarkers that can help predict and prevent life-threatening infections in the neonatal period.
To support research, we developed the BC Women’s Hospital Preemie Biobank, the first biobank dedicated to infants born below 33 weeks of gestation in Canada, in partnership with the BC Children’s Hospital Biobank and the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI).
Tracking RSV Infections in Young Children Across British ColumbiaWe study the epidemiology of RSV infections in young children under 2 years of age across British Columbia. By analyzing administrative health databases, hospital records, laboratory-confirmed RSV cases, and demographic data, we identify patterns in RSV hospitalizations and risk factors for severe disease, including age, prematurity, chronic conditions, and geography. Our research helps guide provincial immunization programs by monitoring seasonal trends and evaluating the impact of new prevention strategies. These findings support more equitable and effective delivery of RSV protection for children throughout BC.
Improved Diagnosis and Antibiotic Resistance Detection in Pediatric SepsisSepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s extreme response to infection, and it remains a leading cause of mortality around the world. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are critical, but current diagnostic tools, including blood cultures and antibiotic resistance testing, are often too slow, taking one to two days or more. In this project, we are studying the epidemiology of sepsis in children across BC using provincial hospital data to identify who is at greatest risk, how sepsis presents in different age groups, and how outcomes vary by geography and underlying health conditions. At the same time, we are developing DNA-based methods using advanced sequencing technologies to detect both the presence of bacteria and their resistance to antibiotics directly from blood samples.
Recently Completed Projects
Tracking COVID-19 for safer schools
The main objective of this study was to determine the extent to which school workers can be exposed to COVID-19 as part of their occupation. This project has been completed. Results of this study have been used to develop strategies to help make Canadian schools safer for everyone. Check out our latest study findings by visiting this link: https://www.bcchr.ca/COVIDatschools
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in asymptomatic individuals
This project aimed to estimate the proportion of the Vancouver population exposed to SARS-CoV-2 at different phases of the pandemic, and to assess the extent to which prior infections with common coronaviruses influence susceptibility to, or severity of, SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Immunogenicity of current SARS-CoV-2 vaccine schedules currently used in Canada
The main objective of the study was to determine the level of protection individuals have after two doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines with this extended dosing schedule, and to understand how a previous exposure to common cold viruses affect an individual’s response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.