How mitochondrial DNA affects lung inflammation and healing
Official title: The mitochondrial genome in lung disease: a signaling hub linking the persistence and severity of inflammation to recovery
Funded at University of South Alabama · NIH-11304578 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looking at whether damaged mitochondrial DNA drives lung inflammation and whether fixing that DNA can help lungs recover after acute injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Alabama NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mobile, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $710,040 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169587-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11304578 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who have had acute lung injury, acute pulmonary injury, or severe lung inflammation (for example ARDS or similar conditions) would be the most relevant candidates for sample donation or future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without inflammatory lung conditions or those whose lung problems are caused by non-inflammatory issues are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how damage to the tiny DNA inside mitochondria can trigger and prolong lung inflammation after acute injury. They will examine how oxidized mitochondrial DNA fragments activate inflammatory pathways and how the cell’s DNA-repair and mitochondrial replacement processes control recovery. The work combines laboratory experiments on damaged mitochondria and related repair pathways with studies relevant to acute lung injury and inflammation. Findings could point to ways to prevent prolonged inflammation and improve recovery after severe lung insults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that reduce harmful lung inflammation and speed recovery after acute lung injury.
How similar studies have gone: Basic research has shown mitochondrial DNA fragments can trigger inflammation and that altering repair pathways changes this response, but translating these findings into patient treatments is still new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Alabama
Mobile, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gillespie, Mark N — University of South Alabama
- Study coordinator: Gillespie, Mark N
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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.