CHICAGO, IL — The Consortium for Food Allergy Research (CoFAR) is proud to announce the launch of FoodSpace , a secure, online platform designed to bridge the gaps in food allergy research. Researchers often work in separate systems, which makes comparing studies and re-analyzing data challenging. By bringing research protocols, study materials, and data from many studies into one shared space, FoodSpace aims to accelerate the discovery of prevention and treatments for a condition that affects approximately 8% of children and 11% of adults in the United States.
FoodSpace was developed with funding from the National Institutes of Health to move the field toward a shared and common way of collecting and recording data, ensuring that all scientific output is findable and accessible for future reuse.
A Robust Library of Food Allergy Research
Researchers can now access a curated study directory and a comprehensive resource library designed to streamline scientific collaboration.
“By breaking down geographic and institutional barriers, we can finally answer critical, large-scale questions regarding food allergy development, progression, and severity,” says Ruchi Gupta, MD, MPH , Principal Investigator, CoFAR Clinical Research Center, Northwestern University.
The Future State
While the core hub is currently active, CoFAR will roll out updates and improved capabilities over time to further empower clinicians and researchers. Upcoming features include:
“With funding from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, CoFAR’s FoodSpace is poised to support researchers across the globe as they develop novel diagnostics and treatments to improve patient care,” says Robert Wood, PI, CoFAR Leadership Center, Johns Hopkins University.
Ruchi Gupta is the Mary Ann and J. Milburn Smith Research Professor for a Sr. Scientist in Child Health Research at the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. She also is Director of the Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research (CFAAR) based at Lurie Children’s and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Robert Wood is the Director of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center and a Professor of Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He serves as the Principal Investigator for the CoFAR Leadership Center.
Join the Community
CoFAR invites the global research community to explore and contribute to this evolving repository. To submit study resources or access the growing library of protocols and surveys, visit the FoodSpace website at https://www.cofarfoodspace.org/ .
About CoFAR FoodSpace: CoFAR FoodSpace is a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases -supported initiative dedicated to hosting food allergy resources and harmonizing research data to drive scientific discovery and foster a global collaborative research environment.
Funding for CoFAR FoodSpace comes from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under award number UM1AI182034.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a nonprofit organization committed to providing access to exceptional care for every child. It is the only independent, research-driven children’s hospital in Illinois and one of less than 35 nationally. This is where the top doctors go to train, practice pediatric medicine, teach, advocate, research and stay up to date on the latest treatments. Exclusively focused on children, all Lurie Children’s resources are devoted to serving their needs. Research at Lurie Children’s is conducted through Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, which is focused on improving child health, transforming pediatric medicine and ensuring healthier futures through the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Lurie Children’s is the pediatric training ground for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. It is ranked as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.