Protecting the lung lining during ventilator-related injury
Official title: Preserving Epithelial Barrier Integrity in Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury
Funded at University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11323092 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work develops ways to keep the lung's barrier intact in people with ARDS who need mechanical ventilation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Burlington, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2018 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $672,101 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL142702-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11323092 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome who require mechanical ventilation or are at high risk of ventilator-induced lung injury.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not need mechanical ventilation or whose lung problems are unrelated to ventilator patterns are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
If you have ARDS and need a ventilator, researchers here are studying how the pattern and timing of breaths can cause or prevent injury to the lung's lining. They use lab models, computer simulations, and live models to watch how the epithelial barrier holds up during repeated opening and closing of airways. The team is focused on the moments when the lung surface starts to fail and on understanding the steps that lead to worsening injury. Lessons from these experiments could point to better breathing strategies on ventilators that protect lungs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to ventilator methods that cause less extra lung damage and lower deaths from ARDS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous lab and animal work shows that breath timing and cyclic airway opening can drive injury, but translating these findings into proven clinical ventilation strategies remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Vermont & St Agric College
Burlington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bates, Jason Ht — University of Vermont & St Agric College
- Study coordinator: Bates, Jason Ht
Related research
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This study is looking at ways to make breathing machines safer for people with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by creating a system that helps doctors adjust the machines to better fit each patient's needs, which could lead to better recovery.
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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.