Understanding how school environments affect respiratory viruses in children
Official title: Molecular epidemiology of respiratory virus exposure in elementary schools
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10783808 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things in schools might affect kids' chances of catching respiratory viruses, like those that can trigger asthma, and it will test if using special air cleaners can help keep the air healthier for students.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 10, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $212,882 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI175965-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10783808 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who attend elementary schools and may be experiencing asthma or respiratory issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or do not have respiratory conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the school environment contributes to children's exposure to respiratory viruses, particularly focusing on factors that can be modified to improve health outcomes. The study aims to identify specific elements within elementary schools that lead to increased respiratory virus exposure and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, such as portable HEPA air cleaners, in reducing this exposure. By analyzing the respiratory virome in schools compared to homes, the research seeks to establish a link between virus exposure and asthma symptoms in children. The ultimate goal is to create healthier indoor environments for students.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved asthma management and reduced respiratory illnesses among children in school settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in using environmental interventions to reduce respiratory illnesses in children, indicating that this approach has potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lai, Peggy Sue — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lai, Peggy Sue
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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.