The Ewart and Mansfield Asthma Laboratory is a partnership between the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Memphis, and the University of Southampton UK to investigate whether particular composites of the gut, nasal, or skin microbiomes may increase or decrease the risk of eczema and asthma. This research is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Susan Ewart, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, and Linda Mansfield, MS, VMD, PhD, DACVM, are investigating the connection between the gut microbiome and airway disease. Ewart and Mansfield are working to determine if the microbiome can modify how DNA is packaged and available for producing proteins via the epigenome, which could alter an individual's risk for developing allergies and asthma.

Ewart is investigating genetic and epigenetic susceptibility to asthma in both animal models and children, genetic mapping studies of native and allergen-induced airway response, and the role of environmental exposures on the human microbiome.

Mansfield, University Distinguished Professor and Albert C. and Lois E. Dehn Endowed Chair in Veterinary Medicine for the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, is investigating genetic basis of host resistance and immune response to Campylobacter jejuni, mechanisms of immune modulation by C. jejuni that elicit autoimmune diseases, and microbiome and the impact of disease.