Division of Lung Diseases

The NHLBI Division of Lung Diseases (DLD) maintains surveillance over developments in pulmonary research and assesses the Nation's need for research on the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pulmonary diseases. Also within the purview of the Division are: technology development, application of research findings, and research training and career development in pulmonary diseases. The DLD plans and directs the research and training programs which encompass basic research, applied research and development, clinical investigations, clinical trials, and demonstration and education research. Two programs comprise the Division of Lung Diseases, Airway Biology and Disease Program, and the Lung Biology and Disease Program.

Airway Biology and Disease Program

The Airway Biology and Disease Program focuses on basic and clinical research, education and training related to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, cystic fibrosis, control of breathing, bronchiolitis, respiratory neurobiology, sleep, and other adult airway diseases. Targeted research programs include delineation of the genetic and metabolic defects underlying pulmonary complications associated with cystic fibrosis, ion channels in pulmonary cells, alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor deficiency, pathogenesis of smoking- and environmentally-related airway diseases, genetics and treatment of asthma, gene therapy, and neurochemical in control of breathing. Specialized Centers of Research are supported in clinical and basic research on chronic diseases of the airways, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and cardiopulmonary disorders during sleep.

Lung Biology and Disease Program

The Lung Biology and Disease Program supports research, education, and training programs in lung cell and vascular biology; lung growth and development and pediatric lung disease; acute lung injury and critical care medicine; interstitial lung diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis; and AIDS and tuberculosis (TB). Targeted research programs include a clinical network for treatment of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, an epidemiologic study of sarcoidosis, investigation of lung injury following bone marrow transplantation, a clinical study of the cardiopulmonary complications of HIV infection in infants and children, several programs to address pathobiology of TB and Pneumocystis carinii and basic cell biology of pulmonary manifestations of AIDS, development of lung specific drug delivery systems for enhanced TB treatment, and behavioral interventions for control of TB. Specialized Centers of Research support research on pathobiology of lung development, acute lung injury, and pathobiology of fibrotic lung disease.

For further information, contact:

Division of Lung Diseases
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
ATTN: Web Site Inquiries
Two Rockledge Center, Suite 10122
6701 Rockledge Dr. MSC 7952
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7952

Phone numbers are available in the Abbreviated Staff Directory.