Understanding why COVID-19 pneumonia affects people differently
Official title: Mechanistic modeling of the innate immune responses of the human lung to understand the inter-individual heterogeneity of COVID-19 pneumonia
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-10879046 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how COVID-19 pneumonia affects people differently, using special lab techniques and mouse models to better understand the virus and find personalized treatments based on each person's immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $731,876 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169974-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10879046 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced varying severities of COVID-19 pneumonia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been infected with COVID-19 or those with unrelated respiratory conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the varying severity of COVID-19 pneumonia among individuals by using advanced techniques. It employs a 3D lung culture system to study the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection and utilizes a mouse model that mimics human responses to the virus. The project aims to develop a mathematical model that personalizes the understanding of COVID-19 severity based on individual biological responses. By identifying the immune pathways involved, the research seeks to pave the way for tailored treatments for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to personalized interventions that improve outcomes for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding COVID-19 through similar modeling approaches, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mehrad, Borna — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Mehrad, Borna
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mechanistic modeling of lung immune responses to explain why COVID-19 affects people differently
A research team at the University of Florida is building personalized computer and lab models to understand why COVID-19 causes different levels of illness in different people.
-
Why COVID-19 affects people’s lungs differently
Researchers will use lab-grown 3D lung tissue, mice with the human ACE2 receptor, and computer models to find biological reasons some people with COVID-19 develop severe pneumonia while others do not.
-
Structural factors linking minimum wage, COVID-19, and community violence
A long-term study will explore whether higher minimum wages and pandemic-related economic factors are connected to changes in violence in US communities.
-
COVID-19 healthcare disruptions and heart health inequities in NYC adults with multiple conditions
This project looks at how COVID-19-related gaps in care affected heart health in adults with several chronic conditions in New York City.
-
Modifying body fat to aid COVID-19 recovery through behavioral strategies
A study in veterans explores whether changing weight through lifestyle habits can improve recovery after COVID-19–related health problems.
-
Coordinating ARDS, Pneumonia, and Sepsis research to improve care
A national coordinating center helps researchers studying ARDS and related infections work together more efficiently to learn what helps patients recover.
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.