Understanding how airway cells control signaling for better function
Official title: Compartmentalized signaling and crosstalk in airway myocytes
Funded at University of South Alabama · NIH-10857217 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cells in the airways work with signals inside them to help control their actions, which is important for conditions like asthma, and it hopes to find new ways to improve treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Alabama NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mobile, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $543,494 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169522-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10857217 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults and children with asthma or airway hyper-responsiveness.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-respiratory conditions or those without airway hyper-responsiveness may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how airway smooth muscle cells manage the location of signals within the cell to enhance their function. By using advanced imaging techniques, the team will explore how different receptors interact and compartmentalize signals, which is crucial for regulating airway responses. The study will also examine how these signaling pathways affect cell behavior, such as contraction and migration, which are important in conditions like asthma. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatments targeting these signaling mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for asthma and other airway-related conditions by targeting specific signaling pathways.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of compartmentalized signaling in airway cells is novel, similar research has shown promise in understanding cell signaling in other contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Alabama
Mobile, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rich, Thomas C — University of South Alabama
- Study coordinator: Rich, Thomas C
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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.