How high-pressure ventilators can damage human lungs
Official title: Cellular and molecular mapping of ventilator-induced lung injury
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11324205 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will compare high- versus low-pressure ventilation on donated human lungs to learn which cells and molecules get hurt in people with respiratory failure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | March 4, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $653,213 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL170601-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324205 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Results are most relevant to people who have or are at high risk for ARDS and to patients who are currently or expected to be mechanically ventilated.
✕Less likely to help
People without respiratory failure or who will never require mechanical ventilation are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project uses donated human lungs perfused and ventilated outside the body to mimic what happens during mechanical ventilation. For each donor pair, one lung will get high-pressure ventilation and the other low-pressure ventilation so each person serves as their own control. Scientists will profile individual cells using single-cell RNA sequencing and map proteins and RNA in intact tissue to link molecular changes with where damage happens. Some experiments will add high oxygen, higher PEEP, or bacteria to better mirror conditions seen in critically ill patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify targets to prevent or treat ventilator-associated lung injury and help people with ARDS recover better.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal and some human-tissue studies have suggested mechanisms of ventilator-induced injury, but this detailed single-cell and spatial mapping in human lungs is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Desai, Tushar Jasubhai — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Desai, Tushar Jasubhai
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Protecting the lung lining during ventilator-related injury
This work develops ways to keep the lung's barrier intact in people with ARDS who need mechanical ventilation.
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Understanding how to protect lung tissue during mechanical ventilation in patients with severe respiratory distress
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Mapping how ventilator use can harm lungs
This study is looking at how using a ventilator can affect the lungs of people who develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with the goal of finding better treatments for those who experience lung injury from high-pressure ventilation.
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Finding ways to prevent lung injury caused by ventilators in patients with severe respiratory issues.
This study is looking at ways to make breathing machines safer for people with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by creating a system that helps doctors adjust the machines to better fit each patient's needs, which could lead to better recovery.
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How different ventilator settings affect lung energy during gallbladder surgery
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Height measurement methods to guide ventilator settings in ARDS
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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.