Investigating how tiny particles from lung injuries affect the body after inhaling toxic gases.
Official title: Extracellular vesicles as mediators of injury in inhaled exposures to toxic chemicals.
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10887268 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how breathing in harmful chemicals like sulfur mustard and chlorine can hurt your lungs and other parts of your body, especially your heart and brain, and they're trying to find ways to help reduce these injuries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $445,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R56ES034423-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10887268 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have been exposed to toxic inhalants or are at risk of such exposures, particularly military personnel and first responders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to toxic inhalants or do not have related respiratory conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the harmful effects of inhaling toxic chemicals like sulfur mustard and chlorine, which can cause serious lung injuries and lead to systemic health issues. The researchers are examining how these injuries affect other organs, particularly the heart and brain, by studying the role of extracellular vesicles (tiny particles released from cells) that may carry damaging substances. By analyzing samples from affected animals, they aim to identify specific factors that contribute to injury and explore potential treatments that could mitigate these effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that protect against or treat injuries caused by inhaling toxic chemicals.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the role of extracellular vesicles in lung injuries can lead to significant insights, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahmad, Aftab — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Ahmad, Aftab
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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.