Mapping adult chronic lung diseases
The Penn LungMAP 3 team: Defining chronic lung disease
Researchers are creating detailed cellular and molecular maps of adult lungs to help people with COPD, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and other chronic lung diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178630 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will collect lung tissue and related clinical information from adults with COPD, A1AT deficiency, and other chronic lung diseases and create high-resolution maps showing which cells and molecules are present and where. The team will use single-cell sequencing and spatial technologies to reveal how cell types and gene activity change during disease. They will focus on progenitor cells to identify early molecular defects and disease progression signatures. Lab-grown and animal model systems will be developed to test how the identified defects drive disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with COPD, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, or other chronic lung diseases who can provide lung tissue samples or clinical data are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without chronic lung disease or children under 21 are unlikely to be directly involved or see immediate benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal the specific cell types and molecular pathways that drive chronic lung diseases and point to new targets for treatments that improve breathing and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous single-cell and spatial lung atlas projects have identified disease-related cell changes, but combining these maps with new lab and animal models for chronic lung disease is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morrisey, Edward E — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Morrisey, Edward E
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.