Pharmacia Allergy Research Foundation and its Award for Young Scientists in Allergy Research
Authors: P. M. O'Byrne
Journal: Allergy (2005)

Pharmacia Allergy Research Foundation (PhARF) was founded in 1987 to honor the 20th anniversary of the discovery of IgE, one of the most important discoveries in understanding allergy and allergic diseases, and is sponsored by Pharmacia Diagnostics, the world-leading company in the field of in vitro allergy diagnostics. The objective of PhARF is to encourage progress in allergy research internationally by annually offering an Award to a young scientist, less than 40 years of age, who has made outstanding contribution to the field of IgE-associated diseases through creative and independent research efforts. The scientific achievements of the candidate should have contributed to a better understanding of allergic inflammation, as well as to improved diagnostic procedures and treatment, resulting in optimal patient management. Currently, the Award amounts to USD 50,000. The winner is chosen every year by a Scientific Committee comprised of distinguished, independent scientists in the field. The list of previous award winners, since its inception in 1987 (Table 1), contains scientists who have shaped the way that we currently think of the investigation and treatment of allergic diseases. These were clearly investigators of the highest caliber (albeit still considered young investigators) at the time of their award, and have developed to the world leaders in the fields of Allergy and Immunology today. Each of the winners had identified a mentor who was, in part, responsible for their success and it was a particular pleasure when a co-winner of the first award in 1987, Dr. Martin Chapman was a mentor of a subsequent winner, Dr Anna Pomes in 2002. Consistent with this level of excellence of previous winners of the PhARF award, the Award winner for 2004 was Dr Bart N Lambrecht, who is currently head of the pulmonary research program of Erasmus University and staff pulmonary physician at Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The subject of the winning submission was the role of antigen presenting cells (particularly dendritic cells) in the initiation of the pulmonary immune response that ultimately leads to sensitization to aeroallergens. He and his research group have led the world in understanding the essential role of airway myeloid dendritic cells in the allergen sensitization process in the lungs and have described an inhibitory role for plasmacytoid dendritic cells in this process. This has been done by developing both transgenic and inducible knock out mouse models. From these studies, a model has emerged in which airway dendritic cells are not only crucial for regulating the process of initial sensitization to inhaled antigens leading to allergy, but also for controlling established allergic inflammation. These studies have suggested that interfering with dendritic cell function may be a future option not only for the prevention of the onset of allergic sensitization, but also to treat established disease. His paper summarizing this seminal work is published in this issue of Allergy. The extraordinary quality of the applicants who have applied for the award during my tenure as Chair of PhARF has been paradoxically one of the most difficult aspects of this position. The committee who select the winner and the honorable mentions usually have very difficult decisions to make. However, all young scientists working in this field of endeavor should be encouraged by their colleagues and mentors to apply for the very prestigious award. The subject for 2005 is ‘‘Advances in the understanding and treatment of allergic diseases’’. The award will be presented as part of the up-coming World Allergy Congress in Munich in June 2005.