American Lung Association of New Mexico

Research provides hope to millions of people living with asthma, cystic fibrosis, and other lung diseases. Here are some of the research initiatives funded by the Lung Association being conducted right here in New Mexico.

Laura Gonzalez Bosc, PhD
University of New Mexico
Dalsemer Research Grant

Uncovering How Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Develops May Lead To New Therapy
Abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs is a chronic and disabling condition, but the underlying mechanisms responsible for it are poorly understood. Bosc and her team of gene researchers will investigate the mechanisms that affect the way genes are translated into protiens in cases of high pulmonary blood pressure. A better understanding of these mechanisms will aid in the development of novel therapeutic approaches to prevent and cure this debilitating disease.

Thomas Frederick Byrd III, MD
University of New Mexico
DeSouza Research Award

Preventing A Bacterial Infection From Becoming Invasive
A type of germ known as mycobacterium abcessus can colonize in the airways, which can pose a danger for some people, including patients with cystic fibrosis. During the course of colonization, these bacteria can become invasive and enter the lung, resulting in pneumonia and life-threatening illness. Although the factors involved in the switch from airway colonization to lung invasion are not fully understood, researchers have recently discovered a molecule on the surface of the bacteria that they believe is responsible. Byrd will study how this molecule is involved in colonization and how it is regulated.