Heme's role in severe Aspergillus lung infection
Multiscale modeling of the role of heme during invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · NIH-11234275
This project looks at how free heme released during lung bleeding helps Aspergillus fumigatus grow in people with weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11234275 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my point of view, researchers are combining computer models with lab and animal experiments to understand how blood heme released during lung bleeding fuels Aspergillus infections. They use a multiscale simulation of the host response to guide experiments that test how heme affects both the fungus and immune cells. The team will examine whether blocking heme-related pathways can slow fungal growth and make antifungal drugs work better. The work is centered at the University of Florida and could involve patient samples or lead to future clinical options.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis or immunocompromised individuals at high risk who might provide samples or be eligible for future therapies.
Not a fit: People without Aspergillus infection or without lung bleeding are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that block heme-driven fungal growth and improve outcomes when used alongside antifungal drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory and computational work has linked iron and heme to Aspergillus growth and the team previously found extracellular heme promotes fungal virulence, but therapeutic targeting of heme is still novel.
Where this research is happening
GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA — GAINESVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MEHRAD, BORNA — UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- Study coordinator: MEHRAD, BORNA
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 below.
Conditions: Airway infections