Researchers have identified that an eczema gene increases people's risk of being sensitive to common allergic foods, but they say other unknown environmental factors determine whether people develop a full blown food allergy or food tolerance. 

Researchers from Murdoch Childrens Research may have found a way to prevent high risk infants from developing eczema- and they say the answer could be in their gut. 

Allergy research is set to get a boost at the Institute, with lead allergy researcher Professor Katie Allen being awarded a Centre of Research Excellence grant by the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC).