Understanding breathing problems in babies with Hypophosphatasia
Official title: Respiratory Distress in Sheep with Hypophosphatasia: Etiology, Functional Consequences and Rescue
Funded at Texas A&m Agrilife Research · NIH-11172503 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand why babies with Hypophosphatasia have breathing difficulties and how to help them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m Agrilife Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 19, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $186,261 |
| NIH project number | 5R21HD114076-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11172503 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational work is for families and infants affected by Hypophosphatasia, particularly those experiencing respiratory complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Hypophosphatasia or related respiratory issues would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Babies born with Hypophosphatasia often experience severe breathing problems, but we don't fully understand how these issues develop before birth. This work uses a special sheep model that closely mimics the human condition, allowing us to look at lung development in detail. By studying these sheep, we hope to uncover the earliest causes of lung problems in Hypophosphatasia and find ways to prevent them. Our findings could lead to better care for infants affected by this rare genetic disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat severe breathing problems in infants with Hypophosphatasia.
How similar studies have gone: This project uses a novel large animal model that better reflects human Hypophosphatasia than previous mouse models, offering a new approach to understanding the disease.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m Agrilife Research
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gaddy, Dana — Texas A&m Agrilife Research
- Study coordinator: Gaddy, Dana
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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.