PollerGEN is an interdisciplinary NERC-funded project aiming to revolutionise aeropollen measurement and forecasting.
It is exploring linkages between grass pollen and human respiratory health, particularly asthma exacerbations. Along with the European Centre, the project involves researchers from the Universities of Bangor, Aberystwyth, Worcester and New South Wales (Australia), as well as the Met Office, and the National Botanic Gardens of Wales.
In the UK and across Europe, grass pollen is the single most important outdoor aeroallergen; 27% of the population are sensitised to grass pollen. Grass pollen allergy has been linked to increased risk of allergic asthma exacerbations, which can lead to hospitalisation and fatalities. Sensitivity towards grass pollen varies between species, of which there are over 150 in the UK.
However, due to few unique morphological features, grass pollen from different species cannot be discriminated using traditional methods. Currently, there is no way of detecting, modelling or forecasting the aerial-dispersion of pollen from the biodiversity of UK grasses. Consequently, grasses are coalesced into a single group in the UK pollen forecast.
Exposure to high levels of grass pollen has been linked to allergic asthma, which in severe cases can lead to hospitalisation and fatality. However, it remains unknown whether particular species of grass contribute more (or less) to the incidence of hay fever symptoms and other health outcomes, and PollerGEN is aiming to address this.
Work is on-going amongst participant institutions to bring together species/genus-specific grass pollen datasets with public health datasets.