How airway mucus and mucins work in health and lung disease
Multi-Scale Investigations of Respiratory Mucus/Mucin Structure and Function in Health and Disease
This program examines how mucus and the large proteins called mucins behave in healthy airways and in lung conditions like asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, and bronchiectasis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146423 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of North Carolina are studying mucus at multiple scales, from the molecular structure of mucins to the properties of the whole mucus layer, to understand why mucus clears in healthy lungs but accumulates in disease. They will analyze mucin organization in solutions and in airway secretions, test how added materials like DNA change mucus behavior, and explore whether cutting mucins could safely loosen stubborn mucus. The work combines laboratory experiments, studies of patient-derived samples, and translational projects aimed at developing new therapies. Findings are intended to guide future clinical tests for people with chronic mucus-related lung diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with chronic airway diseases marked by thick or sticky mucus—such as cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, bronchiectasis, COPD, or asthma—would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without airway mucus problems or those who need immediate standard medical treatment rather than lab-based research are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that improve mucus clearance, reduce infections, and make breathing easier for people with chronic lung diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior work shows that changing mucus properties can aid clearance, but strategies like therapeutically severing mucins are new and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Boucher, Richard Charles — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Boucher, Richard Charles
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.