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MOnitoring Network of ALlergens by Immuno-SAmpling

MONALISA is an European in-field demonstration of the innovative air sampling technology in association with new immunological analysis methods in order to propose an indicator for pollen and fungi allergens in air.

8 sampling stations all around Europe :

Goals: develop a new standard for airborne allergen monitoring

  • Measure antigenicity / allergenicity instead of quantifying pollen grains and fungal spores by their morphology.
  • Be able to detect pollen grains, fungal spores and smaller particles.
  • Set up common analysis protocols in view of standardization.
  • Demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of the air sampler in different bio-geographical climates.

Material and methods

Sampling step with Hirst Trap and Coriolis Delta air sampler.
Analysis by microscopic observation and ELISA method.

Pollens and allergens studied

 

Conclusion & perspectives

MONALISA program as far as the Coriolis® Air Sampler has been demonstrated as able to measure antigenicity/allergenicity of the main aeroallergenic particles and to validate a new monitoring approach instead of quantifying pollen grains by their morphology. Main outputs are:

  • the validation of the innovative system for pollen grain collection and sampling, 
  • the validation of standard analysis protocols by immuno-sampling for specific antigens detection, 
  • the demonstration of the association of these technologies in order to provide an online automated system in the future, 
  • the enhancement of knowledge and improvement of air quality standards by adding allergen measurements to the pollen grain data network (European Aeroallergen Network),

The project MONALISA has paved the way for new determination techniques of allergens in the air. The next work will focus on the choice of antibodies and the sensitivity of immunological methods of analysis used.

Publications

  • Marta Gomez-Domenech, Herminia Garcia-Mozo, Pura Alcazar, Rui Brandao, Elsa Caeiro,
    Vinicius Munhoz and Carmen Galan
    «Evaluation of the efficiency of the Coriolis air sampler for pollen deection in South Europe»
    Aerobiologia DOI10.1007/s10453-009-9152-4, January 2010
  • Carvalho and Al. (2008).
    «Performance of Coriolis air sampler, a high collection system for the quantification of airborne spores and pollen grains»
    Aerobiologia (2008) 24:191-201 DOI10.1007/s10453-008-9098-y
  • Revue française d’allergologie et d’immunologie clinique 48 (2008) 179-186
    Mesures des allergènes de pollens d’arbre dans l’air (bouleau, olivier)
    Measure of airborne tree pollen allergens (Birch, olive) by Michel Thibaudon and C.Sindt.
  • Médecine et enfance, avril 2008
    « Impact du réchauffement climatique sur le risque d'exposition aux allergènes environnementaux et aux pollens »
    Clot B (MeteoSwiss).

9 partners, expert in aerobiology, all around Europe

With the contribution of the LIFE Financial Instrument of the European Community LIFE 05 ENVF/00068