This news item is about: The sneezing, scratching, and inflamed skin that come from different types of allergies are all too common problems for dogs and cats: according to one rough estimate, allergies account for 25 percent of visits to the veterinarian. However, there are few specific, effective, and side-effect free treatments available that can help dogs and cats suffering from allergies to dust, mites, and pollen. At the Baker Institute, two faculty members are bridging the disciplines of immunology, genomics, and computational biology in order to better understand why the immune system launches the dysfunctional attacks that make these desperate difficulties for dogs and cats. Their research has the potential to make profound new discoveries about allergies and could help design treatments to help pets and humans suffering from their bodies’ own immune systems.