This $170,543 federal Project Grant award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (CFDA 93.837 - Cardiovascular Diseases Research) supports research at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) aimed at investigating the mechanistic links between changes in lung tissue stiffness and disrupted cellular metabolism in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The principal investigator will use patient-derived lung fibroblasts and mouse models of pulmonary fibrosis to characterize how the mechanoreceptor Piezo2 drives metabolic adaptations in response to increased matrix stiffness, and how these metabolic changes contribute to a feed-forward loop that drives further fibrosis. Findings from cell culture experiments and animal studies will be compared to metabolomics analyses of exhaled breath condensate from IPF patients to establish the clinical relevance of the proposed mechanisms. This 2-year research project, commencing on Sep 1, 2024, is intended to provide the principal investigator with the technical and professional development needed to transition to an independent faculty position, with career guidance from a mentor committee.
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