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Team:Harvard/allergy/aboutallergy
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Revision as of 17:29, 21 July 2010
about allergy
Allergy is an immune system disorder marked by hypersensitivity to allergens. Allergens are normally harmless and everyday substances, such as pollen or latex. But in persons with allergies towards a certain substance, contact can cause immediate and rapid hypersensitivity, called allergic reactions. Allergic reactions range from relatively mild (itchy eyes, runny nose) to life threatening (asphyxiation, myocardial infarction).
causes
Allergic reactions are caused by exposure to certain proteins that the body mistakenly marks as dangerous. This hypersensitivity can be inherited or developed. Exposure to certain allergens at a young age can increase the possibility of developing allergies later in life. Interestingly enough, insufficient exposure to bacteria and viruses that stimulate metabolic pathways of the immune system can also increase the likelihood of developing allergic disease.
food allergies
Food allergies are adverse reactions to ingested proteins. Reactions range from gastrointestinal discomfort to anaphylaxic shock. Currently, avoidance and immunotherapy are the most common treatments. Food allergens in plants are of particular interest to the Harvard iGEM team this year because of our work with RNA interference delivered into plants using biobricks.
