Stanford Engineering
12 September 2025
Allergist Tina Sindher acknowledges that allergies may be affecting more people worldwide, influenced by a combination of factors such as environmental changes, modern lifestyles, urbanization, and evolving dietary habits. Prevention is playing catch-up, and promising new strategies include earlier food introduction than was popular only a few years ago. On the treatment front, hopes are rising for immunotherapies and a new prescription medicine, omalizumab, that addresses multiple allergens at once. While no single approach helps all, these strategies could allow millions worldwide to better manage their allergies, Sindher tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast. Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu. Episode Reference Links: Stanford Profile: Sayantani (Tina) SindherConnect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Russ Altman introduces guest Tina Sindher, a professor of medicine and allergy at Stanford University. (00:03:16) Inside the Immune Response Why our immune systems trigger allergic reactions. (00:04:57) Genes vs. Environment Whether genetics or environment drive allergy risks. (00:08:05) The Microbiome Factor The role of the microbiome and early exposures in prevention. (00:09:17) A Global Allergy Surge How global allergy trends reveal rising health challenges. (00:11:56) Potent Food Triggers Why some foods cause stronger and faster reactions. (00:13:49) Emerging Risks Whether Alpha-Gal signals new emerging allergy risks. (00:15:47) Multi-Food Allergies How multi-food allergies complicate diagnosis and treatment. (00:19:02) Preventing Allergies Early Why early food introduction may help prevent allergies. (00:20:54) Skin’s Role in Allergies The importance of infant skin health in allergy development. (00:23:39) Testing Limitations The limits of current testing methods to truly diagnose allergies. (00:25:13) Standard Testing Procedure The current methodologies deployed when testing for allergies. (00:27:28) New Therapies How new therapies like OIT and Xolair are reshaping treatment. (00:31:50) The Future of Allergies The potential of combined therapies to aid in allergy treatment. (00:34:33) Managing Seasonal Allergies How to manage seasonal allergies effectively at home. (00:37:08) Conclusion Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
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