Impact of wildfire smoke on the body's ability to fight respiratory viruses
Official title: Effects of wildfire smoke on respiratory antiviral defense responses
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11167695 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how breathing in wildfire smoke might weaken our body's ability to fight off respiratory viruses, like the coronavirus, and it's especially important for people who are concerned about the health effects of wildfires and air quality.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $610,235 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES036209-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11167695 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with respiratory conditions or those living in areas prone to wildfire smoke exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not live in wildfire-prone areas or who do not have respiratory issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to wildfire smoke affects the body's antiviral defense mechanisms against respiratory viruses, particularly in the context of the 2019 novel coronavirus. By studying human nasal epithelial cells in vitro, the researchers aim to understand the cellular and chemical interactions that modify these defenses. The study will utilize computational modeling to identify harmful chemicals in wildfire smoke and their effects on respiratory health. This research is crucial as climate change may increase the frequency of wildfires and respiratory virus infections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for protecting respiratory health during wildfire events and viral outbreaks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that exposure to air pollutants like wildfire smoke can significantly impact respiratory health, indicating that this research builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rebuli, Meghan Elizabeth — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Rebuli, Meghan Elizabeth
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.