Creating tiny human lung models with blood vessels

iPSC-Derived Vascularized Human Lung Organoids and Interaction Between Lung Endothelial Cells and Alveolar Epithelial Cells

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · NIH-11146523

This project is making miniature human lung models from stem cells to better understand how lung cells and blood vessels work together.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11146523 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Researchers are building 3D lung models using human stem cells, which are special cells that can turn into many different types. Unlike previous models, these new "organoids" will include both lung lining cells and the tiny blood vessels that are crucial for lung function. By studying how these different cell types interact and mature, we hope to create more accurate models of human lung structures. This will help us learn more about lung development and how diseases affect our lungs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational laboratory work does not directly involve patient participation at this stage.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment or direct participation in a human trial would not find direct benefit from this laboratory-based research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better laboratory models for understanding lung diseases, including infections like COVID-19, and for testing new treatments.

How similar studies have performed: While lung organoids have been developed before, this approach is novel in its systematic integration of human iPSC-derived endothelial cells and the study of vascular perfusion for more complete lung models.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.