The program and registration brochure is now available for the 19th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) which will be held at the Park Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne on Wednesday 12 - Friday 14 November 2008.

The Dummies series of books now has an edition specifically focussed on food allergies. Written by Dr. Robert Wood, chief of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, with assistance from writer Joe Kraynak, Food Allergies For Dummies is a practical guide to diagnosing food allergies, preventing reactions, and administering effective emergency care in the event of a severe food allergy reaction.

Results of a study published in the Journal of Cereal Science indicate it may be possible to make gluten-free breads using the enzyme transglutaminase enzyme (TGase) with brown rice and buckwheat flours. The replacement of the gluten network in the development of gluten-free cereal products has posed significant challenges in the past.

Mucosal tissue, which lines both the respiratory and digestive tracts, has long been known as an effective barrier against allergens. Recent research shows that Foxp3-directed regulatory T cells (Treg) are produced in the mucosal tissue and remain there to prevent allergic reactions. New ones are tailor-made every time an unknown protein is inhaled or ingested.

Consuming peanuts and peanut products during pregnancy may raise the infant's risk of developing asthma by about 50 per cent, suggests new research from The Netherlands. Over 4,000 women took part in the study, and data was obtained for 2,832 children.

Part time (approx 16 hours per week), six month contract The Allergen Bureau is seeking an experienced Food Technologist to join, as an external contractor, its technical support team for an initial period of six months (approximately 16 hours per week).