NIH-funded research R21 grant

Understanding respiratory flare-ups in primary ciliary dyskinesia

Official title: Characterizing respiratory exacerbations in primary ciliary dyskinesia

Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10655640 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at why people with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) often have sudden worsening of their breathing problems, and it aims to find out how viruses and bacteria might be involved, so we can come up with better ways to help manage these flare-ups.

More Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniv of North Carolina Chapel Hill
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chapel Hill, United States)
Project startJuly 1, 2022
Project endJune 30, 2025
Funding year2023
Award (this year)$231,393
NIH project number5R21TR003860-03
Project IDNIH-10655640 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with primary ciliary dyskinesia who are experiencing respiratory exacerbations.

Less likely to help

Patients without a diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia or those who do not experience respiratory issues may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare genetic condition that leads to frequent respiratory infections and inflammation. The study aims to identify the causes of acute respiratory flare-ups, which are characterized by worsening cough, fever, and fatigue. By analyzing samples from patients already enrolled in a larger study, researchers will explore the role of viruses and bacteria in triggering these exacerbations. The goal is to develop better prevention and treatment strategies for managing these episodes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved management and treatment options for patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia, reducing the frequency and severity of respiratory exacerbations.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding respiratory conditions through similar molecular detection approaches, indicating potential for success in this study.

Where this research is happening

  • Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
    Chapel Hill, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Ferkol, Thomas W — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
  • Study coordinator: Ferkol, Thomas W

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Personalized therapeutic oligonucleotides for primary ciliary dyskinesia

    A new therapy approach uses customized RNA-based medicines to help people with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, a rare lung condition, by correcting how genes are read in airway cells.

    NIH research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, United States · NIH-11432843

  • Pathogenesis and New Treatments for Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD)

    Researchers are studying why Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia causes lung and airway problems and how to develop better treatments for people with this condition.

    NIH research University of Iowa · Iowa City, United States · NIH-11353875

  • New genes behind primary ciliary dyskinesia

    This project looks for new genes that cause primary ciliary dyskinesia to help people with chronic respiratory infections and related complications.

    NIH research Northwestern University · Chicago, United States · NIH-11243545

  • How a lung cell protein (cytoglobin) affects cilia movement and organ placement

    Researchers are looking at whether the airway protein cytoglobin controls nitric oxide and cilia motion in ways that could explain primary ciliary dyskinesia and situs inversus.

    NIH research University of Maryland Baltimore · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11234292

  • Understanding and treating Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

    This study is looking at a pig model of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) to better understand how the condition affects breathing and to find new ways to help improve the lives of people living with PCD.

    NIH research University of Iowa · Iowa City, United States · NIH-11096761

  • Finding new genes that cause primary ciliary dyskinesia

    This study is looking for new genes that cause primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a condition that affects breathing, to help make faster and cheaper tests for it, using a special model from frog embryos to learn more about how cilia work.

    NIH research Northwestern University at Chicago · Chicago, United States · NIH-11045856

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.