Alveolar immune and lung cell lipid metabolism in fibrosis
Official title: Alveolar macrophage and epithelial cell lipid metabolism in pulmonary fibrosis
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11393697 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A physician-scientist at UCLA is pursuing a five-year plan to understand how lipid metabolism in lung cells contributes to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and to build translational research using patient samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $169,992 |
| NIH project number | 5K08HL179476-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393697 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or related lung conditions who provide samples for translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to IPF tissue samples or those not contributing to translational analyses may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports Dr. Richard L. Watson’s career development to study lipid pathways in alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells in IPF. The project combines advanced lab techniques, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, and analysis of human lung samples to build a translational research program. Mentored education from leaders in immunometabolism and lung biology will help establish independent, patient-relevant research that could inform future therapies. The work aims to connect basic lipid biology with the progression of IPF in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could uncover lipid-related targets and mechanisms that contribute to IPF, guiding new approaches to treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in immunometabolism and lipid biology have shown promise in related lung diseases, supporting a translational path for IPF.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Watson, Richard L. — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Watson, Richard L.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.