Protecting the lung lining during ventilator-related injury

Preserving Epithelial Barrier Integrity in Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury

NIH-funded research University of Vermont & St Agric College · NIH-11323092

This work develops ways to keep the lung's barrier intact in people with ARDS who need mechanical ventilation.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Vermont & St Agric College NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Burlington, United States)
Project IDNIH-11323092 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome who require mechanical ventilation or are at high risk of ventilator-induced lung injury.

Not a fit: People who do not need mechanical ventilation or whose lung problems are unrelated to ventilator patterns are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.

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 performed: 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

Burlington, 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.
Conditions Acute Respiratory Distress SyndromeAdult Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.