What is the pulmonary disease biorepository?
BRI’s Pulmonary Diseases Biorepository is a confidential list of people with pulmonary diseases who are willing to donate a blood sample and provide health information for scientific research.
Pulmonary diseases are a group of conditions that affect the lungs. BRI scientists study pulmonary diseases that happen when there is too much inflammation in the lungs including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and interstitial lung disease. These conditions make it difficult to breathe. ARDS is a serious complication of COVID-19, while interstitial lung disease can develop in people with severe cases of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma.
Our scientists study donated samples to better understand how and why pulmonary diseases happen and to find better treatments and prevention. All of the information gathered is kept confidential, and samples and health information are coded with numbers, not names.
Participate in Pulmonary Disease research
We are currently enrolling volunteers with the following:
- Age 18 years and older
- Physician diagnosed or suspected lung disease/condition or at risk for inflammatory lung disease
- Receiving diagnostic standard of care procedure involving lung fluid or tissue collection
- Not currently pregnant or within 3 months post-partum
- No hematopoietic malignancy within the past 5 years
- No prior solid organ transplantation
- No personal history of chronic viral infection that compromises the immune system (Hep B or C, HIV/Aids)
The pulmonology biorepository is recruiting
Carmen Mikacenic, MD
What Pulmonary Disease Research is BRI Conducting?
- Understanding why the immune system creates too much inflammation in the lungs in diseases like ARDS and interstitial lung disease
- Seeking out biomarkers that could explain why some people are more prone to pulmonary diseases
- Finding more personalized therapies for pulmonary diseases
Labs Studying the Pulmonology System
Altman Lab
Mikacenic Lab
Speake Lab
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