Understanding lung surfactant behavior to improve treatments for respiratory distress
Official title: Three-dimensional Confocal Microscopy Visualization and AFM-IR Chemical Mapping of Lung Surfactant Monolayer Collapse Morphologies
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10996085 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special layer in the lungs, which helps us breathe, behaves in people with breathing problems like neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and acute respiratory distress syndrome, to find ways to create better treatments for these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | September 14, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $45,223 |
| NIH project number | 5F31HL170778-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10996085 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include premature infants suffering from NRDS and adults diagnosed with ARDS, particularly those affected by COVID-19.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with respiratory conditions unrelated to surfactant dysfunction or those who do not have ARDS or NRDS may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the behavior of lung surfactant monolayers, which are crucial for proper lung function, particularly in conditions like neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). By using advanced imaging techniques such as three-dimensional confocal microscopy and atomic force microscopy, the study aims to visualize and chemically map the collapse of these surfactant layers. The goal is to uncover the fundamental properties that lead to surfactant dysfunction, which could inform the development of new synthetic treatments for patients suffering from these serious respiratory conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of effective synthetic surfactant treatments that improve lung function and reduce mortality rates in patients with ARDS and NRDS.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding surfactant behavior, but this specific approach using advanced imaging techniques is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcallister, Zachary D — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Mcallister, Zachary D
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.