Airway smooth muscle and fixed airway obstruction: strategies for softening muscle [ 2013 - 2015 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Alastair Stewart (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Michael Schuliga ,  Dr Xuehua Zhang ,  Prof Peter Lee

Brief description In severe asthma the airways don't relax fully making breathing more difficult. The inability to relax is being addressed by exploring the behaviour of isolated muscle cells. These cells are able to compact collagen gels. The mechanisms used to compact the gel are different to those that cause rapid muscular contraction. We aim to identify the molecules responsible for the gel compaction as a first step to identifying new drugs to treat the fixed airway obstruction in severe asthma.

Funding Amount $AUD 555,642.99

Funding Scheme Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant