NIH-funded research Career grant

Understanding how blood flow and pressure affect lungs in PAH

Official title: Hemodynamic Contributions to Vascular Dysfunction in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11531183 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This grant studies how abnormal blood flow and pressure contribute to pulmonary arterial hypertension and how patient factors shape these effects, with the aim of guiding better therapies.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project startApril 15, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$45,306
NIH project number3K08HL166696-04S1
Project IDNIH-11531183 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension or at risk due to vascular dysfunction.

Less likely to help

If you do not have PAH or related vascular conditions, this specific study may not benefit you directly.

What this research studies

This project uses bioengineering tools to study how shear stress and pressure in the lung arteries influence PAH in people who have the condition. It builds on data showing PAH patients’ arterial cells respond differently to high shear forces, and it plans to connect those responses to individual patient factors. The work combines vascular biology with innovative microfluidic models to mimic lung blood flow and examine cellular signaling related to calcium and cell communication. The goal is to identify pathways that could be targeted to prevent or slow PAH progression. Participation would involve analyzing patient-derived cells and potentially future therapeutic studies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new targets to treat PAH and improve survival and quality of life for patients.

How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest distinct cellular responses to high shear stress in PAH, supporting potential for meaningful discoveries.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Washington
    Seattle, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Rayner, Samuel Gibson — University of Washington
  • Study coordinator: Rayner, Samuel Gibson

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.