Cilla Söderhäll

Our main aim is to develop molecular diagnostic and prognostic tools for clinical use, that could discriminate between preschool wheezers that will
develop chronic asthma and those that will grow out.

Senior lecturer 2023

Docent, Associate professor of medical genetics, Karolinska Institutet 2011

Post doc at Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Campus Virchow Clinic, Berlin, Germany, 2002-2005

PhD in medical genetics, Karolinska Institutet 2001

MSc molecular biology, Stockholm University 1996

Recurrent episodes of wheeze in infants are troublesome for those affected,  and a common cause of visits to the emergency room and hospitalization in this age-group. Some of these children (about 30%) will develop asthma, while many will be symptom-free before starting school. Wheeze in young children can vary considerably in terms of severity, duration, risk of relapse,  contributing causes, treatability and risk for future chronic asthma.
Symptoms may be caused by viral infections, allergen exposure or airway irritants. We aim to develop molecular tools that can be used for both
diagnosis and prognosis for this group of children. With specific biomarker profiles, we hope to be able to predict which of these children that will
develop chronic asthma, and who will grow out of their symtoms. The analyzes are performed on a global level, as well as through targeted analayses of candidate genes and molecular networks. In addition, our research contributes to increased understanding of the molecular contribution to asthma, and the identification of various risk factors, eg genetic factors, infections and allergy development.

The *GEWAC study* (Gene Expression in Wheezing and Asthmatic Children) is a prospective cohort study where 156 children (6 months – 3 y) with acute wheeze were included during an emergency visit due to ongoing wheeze. The children were recruited during 2008-2012, at Astrid Lindgren's children's hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. The cohort was followed with annual visits until the age of 7. A follow-up visit at the age of 10-13 years is now
ongoing. The children in the GEWAC study are well characterized by clinical examination, questionnaires and biological sampling. In this longitudinal
cohort, we follow both the clinical course and the presence of viruses and bacteria, allergy development, such as genetic (including gene expression)
and epigenetic components over time.

In addition, we try to understand what impact genetic factors have on the development of eczema and food allergy, in a large Nordic intervention study called *PreventADALL* (Preventing Atopic Dermatitis and Allergy in Children). We believe that different genetic conditions affect the function of the barrier in the skin and airways. A more permeable barrier gives an increased risk for both eczema and food allergy, and therefore, the presence of certain genetic variants or mutations could indicate a group where prevention are of extraordinary importance.

PhD students and post docs

/Sandip Chakraborty/, PhD, post doc, 2021- /biomarkers and asthma prediction/

* /Angela Hoyer, / MSc, PhD 2024, main supervisor, /” Genetic and epigenetic risk factors for preschool wheeze to develop to asthma,
/Karolinska Institutet
* /Anastasia Filiou, /pediatrician, PhD 2024/ /main supervisor, / “From preschool wheeze to childhood asthma; the role of genetics and
environmental factors“, /Karolinska Institutet
* /Katarina Stenberg Hammar/, pediatrician, PhD 2016, main supervisor,  /”Viral wheeze and risk factors for childhood asthma- an evaluation of
clinical, immunological and genetic factors”, / Karolinska Institutet,  
* /Christina Orsmark Pietras/, PhD 2011, co-supervisor, /”Interaction and regulation of asthma susceptibility genes”, /Karolinska Institutet,
* /Nathalie Acevedo, / PhD 2015, co-supervisor, /”//Epigenetic Mechanisms of Asthma and Allergy/”, /Karolinska Institutet,
* /Sandra Ganrud Tedner/, pediatrician, PhD 2022, co-supervisor, / “Specific IgE-profiles and allergy prediction”, /Karolinska Institutet

*/Caroline-Aleksi Olsson Mägi, /pediatric nurse, PhD 2023, co-supervisor, /”Maternal stress and allergic disease in her offspring” /Karolinska Institutet/ /
* /Idun Holmdahl/, MD, PhD 2023, co-supervisor, “/Långtidsuppföljning av småbarn som behövt akut sjukvård för luftvägsobstruktivitet: Vilka
kommer få astma i skolåldern?”, /Karolinska Institutet, PhD 2023
* /Martin Färdig/, pediatric nurse, PhD 2023, co-supervisor, “The risk of developing asthma in young children by factors related to pregnancy, birth
and early lung function”, Karolinska Institutet 

/Lovisa E Reinius/, PhD, post doc, 2009-2013; co-supervisor, Karolinska  Institutet, /Genetics and epigenetics in asthma/

Supervision to doctoral degree

• Angela Hoyer, Genetic and epigenetic risk factors for preschool wheeze to develop to asthma, 2024
• Anastasia Filiou, From preschool wheeze to childhood asthma : the role of genetics and environmental factors, 2024