The Pulmonary Division maintains a variety of research initiatives from basic science to large-scale clinical and multidisciplinary research. Many of these studies are open to normal volunteers as well as patients with diseases outlined below which are actively being investigated.
| Asthma Clinical Research Center |
| Indiana University is home to an American Lung Association sponsored Asthma Clinical Research Center (ACRC). This center is currently conducting several clinical research protocols in patients with asthma and maintains a large patient database for future studies. |
| Dr. Michael Busk |
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Emphysema / Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) |
| Basic science research is being conducted investigating mechanisms leading to the development of emphysema and COPD. Several animal models are utilized in this research. In addition, clinical samples from patients with COPD are being studied to provide a translational research link between the bench and bedside. |
| Dr. Irina Petrache |
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| Histoplasmosis |
| Basic science and translational research is being conducted to assess the host response to histoplasmosis, a common pulmonary infection in the Midwest. Additionally, the effect of anti-inflammatory treatments (specifically, anti-cytokine therapy) on pulmonary and systemic immune responses against histoplasmosis is being evaluated. Human subjects are being recruited for these studies. |
Dr. Chadi Hage
Dr. Kenneth Knox |
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| Intensive Care |
| Indiana University recently became a charter member of the Midwest Critical Care Consortium, a group of institutions conducting studies in the ICU setting. Current areas of interest include physician staffing in the ICU, use of semi-invasive devices, the effects of neuromuscular weakness on ICU outcomes, and the use of bundled protocols (i.e. sepsis treatment, prevention of nosocomial pneumonia) in patient care in the ICU. |
Dr. Karen Wolf
Dr. Michael Ober |
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| Lung Immunity in HIV Infection |
| Basic science and translational research is being conducted to assess lung immunity in HIV infection. A current major focus is on pulmonary immune reconstitution in patients starting highly active antiretroviral therapy. HIV-infected subjects, both those starting antiretroviral therapy as well as those already on treatment, are recruited for these studies. |
Dr. Homer Twigg
Dr. Kenneth Knox
Dr. Chadi Hage
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| Lung Transplantation |
| Basic scientific research is being performed to investigate mechanisms behind lung transplant rejection. Several animal models are utilized in this research. In addition, clinical samples from patients who have undergone lung transplantation are studied to provide a translational research link between the bench and bedside. |
| Dr. David Wilkes |
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| Pulmonary Hypertension |
| Research is being conducted investigating mechanisms and therapeutic interventions in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). A model of isolated rat pulmonary artery rings is used. The effects of multiple medications as well as activators and inhibitors of intracellular signaling pathways are being investigated. |
| Dr. Irina Petrache |
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| Sarcoidosis Research |
| Basic science and translational research is being conducted to study the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and pulmonary immune responses in patients with this disease. Additionally, the effect of anti-inflammatory treatments (specifically, anti-cytokine therapy) on pulmonary and systemic immune responses is being evaluated. Normal volunteers and subjects with sarcoidosis are recruited for these studies. For information on how to donate money for patient-oriented research in sarcoidosis, please contact Michelle Jones. |
Dr. Kenneth Knox
Dr. Chadi Hage
Dr. Aliya Noor
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| Sleep Medicine |
| Sleep medicine emerged as a new discipline in medicine during the 1980's and 1990's. Recently, a team of investigators recognized the need for a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to the practice and study of sleep and sleep disorders using the unique resources on the IUPUI campus. This program, which has now received funding from Indiana University (RIF), was developed by the Sleep Medicine Program and supported by a multidisciplinary team from the IUPUI campus. Collaborators include individuals from the School of Medicine (Neurology, Psychiatry, Otolaryngology, Gastroenterology, and Pulmonary), the School of Engineering & Technology (and the Biomedical Engineering Program), the School of Nursing, and the School of Dentistry. |
Dr. Michael Ober
Dr. Shalini Manchanda
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