A-Level student, Alexa Varley, knows from personal experience that having a food allergy can change your way of life. Although food allergies are not common, a reaction that brings on an anaphylactic attack can be fatal. To help other teenagers who have similar problems, Alexa has been working with scientists at the Institute of Food Research in Norwich, and has produced a personal web-based resource that explains food allergies in an accessible language.

Alexa's web site is now live and can be accessed at: www.ifr.ac.uk/public/franticWeb/Web/default.html

There is a growing resource of web-based information about allergies, some of which Alexa has collated as a 'Jump Station'.

Alexa said "It has been interesting for me to discover the biology behind what is actually going on in my body during a reaction, this helps me to understand what is different about the way I react to peanuts compared to other people. I hope that by explaining this to others through my web site they can get a clearer picture too".

Helen Penny, Science Communication Officer, at the Institute of Food Research has been supporting Alexa's project and said "Alexa's personal experience is invaluable in communicating to others not only the factual and scientific background of food allergies but also the emotional and social consequences that food allergy sufferers have to deal with on a day to day basis. I hope that many people can use her resource and put their own food allergies into perspective".

Alexa's project has been funded by a bursary from the Nuffield Foundation. The charity's Science Bursary Scheme helps students take part in science-based projects in industry or research institutions during their summer holidays. Alexa will be staying in touch with IFR to make additions to her web pages as we hotlink to other sites.

For further information contact:

Helen Penny 
Science Communication Officer 
Institute of Food Research 
Norwich Research Park
Colney
Norwich,
NR4 7UA 

Tel. +44 (0) 1603 255111
Fax. +44 (0) 1603 255168
helen.penny@ifr.ac.uk

• The mission of the Institute of Food Research is to carry out independent basic, and strategic research on food safety, quality, nutrition and health. It is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status, grant aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

• The Institute is based on the Norwich Research Park.

• The Nuffield Foundation's we address is www.nuffieldfoundation.org