Lung Disease Research

Research provides hope for millions of people living with asthma, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, and other lung diseases. Here are a few of the research initiatives the American Lung Association is funding right here in Colorado for the 2009-2010 grant cycle.

MARY ANN DE GROOTE, MD
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
American Lung Association/NTM Info Research Career Investigator Award

Discovering New Drugs to Fight Mycobacteria
It's not tuberculosis, but it's a closesly related bacteria, shows resistance to antibiotics, and it's an emerging health problem in the United States. A family of bacteria called the non-tuberculous Mycobacteria can infect both healthy people and people with compromised body defenses. These bacteria are particularly problematic when a person has certain lung conditions. De Groote and other researchers will screen libraries of compounds to see which ones are active against a particular strain called M. abscessus. This research may be useful in discovering new drugs against M. abscessus.

SARAH K. PARKER, M.D.
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO
Biomedical Research Grant

Tuberculosis Bacteria ‘Steal’ Materials From Human Host To Grow
The bacteria that causes tuberculosis has the unique ability to survive within its human host for decades. This may be due to the bacteria's ability to build and change its cell wall, or even scavenge materials from the cell walls of its human host. The researchers have discovered an enzyme that may be responsible for the bacteria's ability to manipulate cell wall materials. They will investigate the contributions of this enzyme to the growth, development and survival of the bacteria, which may lead to a new drug or vaccine for tuberculosis.

Asthma Clinical Research Network The American Lung Association is proud to have created a network of centers focused directly on asthma and the care and progression of asthma patients. With 20 centers nationwide, including one at National Jewish in Denver, we are making an impact right in our own backyard!

DeSouza Research Award is made possible courtesy of a restricted bequest left by Mr. James L. DeSouza of Phoenix, Arizona. It focuses tuberculosis and related lung disease research.

See the research that the Lung Association is funding on a national level.