Mapping how lung pathogens and human cells interact

HPMI: Host Pathogen Mapping Initiative

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11088220

This project maps how viruses and bacteria infect human lung cells to find new treatment targets for people with respiratory infections.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11088220 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

From my perspective, researchers will analyze samples from people with respiratory infections and use lab-grown human lung cells and 3-D airway organoids to recreate lung biology. They will measure proteins, genetic changes, and molecular structures using proteomics, genetics, and structural biology and combine those results with existing large datasets. Computer network and structure models will be used to predict which host proteins, complexes, and pathways control infection and how severe disease could become. The work focuses on pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SARS‑CoV‑2 (including variants), influenza, and RSV to generate clinically relevant maps.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with current or recent respiratory infections (such as COVID‑19, influenza, RSV) or patients with tuberculosis who can provide clinical samples or consent to biospecimen donation.

Not a fit: People without respiratory disease or those with unrelated conditions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could identify new drug targets and biomarkers to guide treatments and predict who will develop severe respiratory disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous host–pathogen mapping efforts, including earlier HPMI work, have identified host proteins involved in infections, and this program expands those approaches across multiple respiratory pathogens and patient samples.

Where this research is happening

SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Airway infections

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.