Creating models to study lung diseases and treatments
Official title: Reconstructing native soluble cues in vascularized whole lung scaffolds
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10896273 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to understand and treat serious lung diseases like ARDS and COVID-19 complications by creating models that mimic the lungs, which could help find better treatments for patients dealing with these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $248,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HL159261-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10896273 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing or at risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome or related lung conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic lung diseases not related to ARDS or COVID-19 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing advanced models to better understand and treat lung diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and complications from COVID-19. By reconstructing the lung's vascular structure and mimicking its natural environment, the study aims to identify key factors that influence lung health and disease. The approach involves using decellularized lung scaffolds and advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing to uncover important cellular signals. This innovative methodology could lead to more effective therapies for patients suffering from severe lung conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients with severe lung diseases, enhancing recovery and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using decellularized organ models to study various diseases, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yuan, Yifan — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Yuan, Yifan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Resilient HIV Implementation for LGBTQ Youth in Africa and Beyond
A program to help young people ages 15–24 who are at risk for or living with HIV, especially sexual and gender minority youths, access better HIV prevention and care through real-world health practice improvements.
-
Algorithms to find HLA-E neoantigens for cancer immunotherapy
Aims to develop computer methods to discover tumor-specific targets presented by HLA-E to guide new T cell therapies for cancer.
-
NPRL2 loss and focal cortical dysplasia in epilepsy
This grant investigates how losing NPRL2 in the brain contributes to focal cortical dysplasia and epilepsy in children.
-
New way to make head and neck cancer treatments work better
A research project at the University of Maryland Baltimore aims to improve treatment for advanced head and neck cancer, with a focus on making cisplatin and newer therapies work better while reducing kidney side effects.
-
Genetics and function of inherited brain disorders that affect thinking and behavior
Scientists are studying how genes and cellular helpers shape brain development and why certain kids have intellectual disabilities and adaptive-behavior challenges.
-
Finding broadly protective antibodies against Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
Researchers will study blood from people who survived CCHF to find human antibodies that protect against multiple virus variants, with early tests in animal models to check their breadth.
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.