The development of the respiratory system is sensitive to environmental cues during early life that configure the short and long-term function of the respiratory control network. Understanding the development of rhythmogenesis and the dynamic environment with which the respiratory system interacts, will reveal novel insights into mechanisms that shape respiratory function during infancy. This session seeks to review recent research in the field of respiratory control with a focus on the development of the respiratory control system in early life, along with respiratory disorders and infections that present in the paediatric population. Dr’s Ramirez, Watters and Bogaert have combined expertise in the areas of the control of breathing, neurophysiology, immunology and molecular microbiology and are driving research at the frontiers, with the shared aim of addressing unmet clinical needs in modern paediatric medicine.

Dr Ramirez will speak of recent developments in the network control of breathing and insights into mechanisms underlying cardiorespiratory coupling. Dr Watters will review recent research in the area of sex differences in microglial responses to insults in early life, and epigenetic regulation of microglial gene transcription. Dr Bogaert will speak of the respiratory microbiome and respiratory tract infection in children, sources of infection, and emerging therapies to combat infection. Speakers have expertise in the areas of the control of breathing, neurophysiology, immunology and molecular microbiology and are driving research with the aim of addressing unmet clinical needs in modern paediatric medicine.