Understanding Small Airway Cells in Early COPD

Ancillary SOURCE Study: Characterization of Small Airway Basal Cell Biology in Early COPD

NIH-funded research Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11083708

This project looks closely at the tiny air passages in the lungs of people with early COPD to understand how their cells are changing.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWeill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11083708 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We are exploring why the small airways, which are the first part of the lungs affected by COPD, don't develop normally in people with the condition. Our team will use samples like blood, lung fluid, and cells from the small airways of individuals with early COPD and healthy volunteers. By examining these samples, we hope to identify specific biological signals that contribute to the changes seen in early COPD, helping us understand the disease at its very beginning.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for related future studies might include individuals aged 30-55 with early signs of COPD, as well as healthy individuals and healthy smokers who could serve as comparison groups.

Not a fit: Patients with advanced COPD or those not meeting specific age and disease stage criteria may not directly benefit from this particular early-stage research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to detect COPD earlier or develop treatments that target the root causes of the disease in its initial stages.

How similar studies have performed: This project builds upon existing knowledge from the larger SOURCE observational study, which has already characterized early COPD, and incorporates preliminary data from the research team's own observations.

Where this research is happening

New York, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.