How airway shape affects risk from smoking and air pollution
Airway trees in the Anthropocene: Defining resilient airway trees and identifying the candidate mechanisms and etiologic factors that increase susceptibility to tobacco smoke and air pollution
['FUNDING_R01'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11163384
This project looks at whether natural differences in airway shape and size make teens and adults more likely to get lung disease from smoking or polluted air.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11163384 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers use CT scans and long-term study data to measure airway anatomy and link those patterns to later lung health. They combine imaging with information about smoking, air pollution exposure, clinical outcomes, and genetics to find why some people's airways are more vulnerable. The team studies young people to find early-life causes and adults to understand how airway structure affects disease development. Their goal is to define which airway patterns are 'resilient' versus 'susceptible' based on real health outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adolescents and adults—especially current or former smokers or people with significant air pollution exposure—who can undergo chest CT scans and share medical and exposure history.
Not a fit: People without relevant inhaled-pollutant exposure, without chest imaging available, or whose health issues are unrelated to airway or lung disease may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at higher risk for COPD and guide earlier prevention or targeted monitoring.
How similar studies have performed: Yes—prior publications from this team have already shown airway branch variants and airway caliber predict COPD risk, so this builds on demonstrated findings.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SMITH, BENJAMIN M. — COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: SMITH, BENJAMIN M.
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.