Microfluidic test to measure chromatin fibers in lung transplant patients' BAL fluid
Official title: Microfluidic assay for measuring chromatin fibers in bronchoalveolar lavage from lung transplant patients
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11373856 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, safer test using tiny fluid channels could help doctors detect early signs of lung transplant problems by examining fluid from the lungs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 21, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $247,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI183648-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373856 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have undergone lung transplantation and are at risk for CLAD could be candidates for this monitoring approach.
✕Less likely to help
patients who do not undergo BAL sampling or whose disease processes are unrelated to CLAD may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops a microfluidic assay to analyze chromatin fibers and bacteria trapped on NETs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from people who received a lung transplant. It aims to identify early markers of chronic lung allograft dysfunction in a less invasive way than repeated biopsies. The approach builds on recent advances in separating NETs and probing microbial interactions, with the goal of creating a practical test that clinicians can use to monitor patients over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could enable earlier detection and treatment of CLAD, potentially improving survival after lung transplantation.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest NETs and related biomarkers are involved in CLAD, and this project extends those findings with a novel microfluidic readout.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Irimia, Daniel — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Irimia, Daniel
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Exercise-based frailty program for people awaiting lung transplants
A tailored exercise and lifestyle program is being tested to reduce frailty and improve outcomes for people waiting for a lung transplant.
-
Understanding why a lung transplant sometimes fails early and how to tailor treatment
A study of people receiving lung transplants to find molecular differences that cause early graft failure and point to better, personalized therapies.
-
Targeting inflammation and alloimmunity in lung transplant recipients with clazakizumab
A study to see if blocking IL-6 with clazakizumab can improve survival and reduce rejection in people who have received a lung transplant.
-
Vaccination responses in lung transplant patients
This grant studies how people who have received lung transplants respond to COVID-19 vaccines and why their antibody responses may be limited.
-
The Post-Lung Transplant Aging in Immune Cells in Donor Lungs
This grant explores how aging donor lungs affect lung transplant outcomes by studying immune cells called alveolar macrophages.
-
Predictors of Lung Transplant Success and Costs
This study looks at what pre-transplant patient factors and biology predict a smooth recovery and lower costs after lung transplant.
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.