Lung Association Announces 2000-2001 Research Grants

SEATTLE - The American Lung Association of Washington today announced the recipients of its 2000-2001 research grants. Five grants totaling $116,000 will help to fund research into the causes and cures of lung disease.

The 2000-2001 grant recipients are:

• J. Randall Curtis, MD, MPH (University of Washington Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine) ñ Improving Quality of End-of-Life Care for Patients with COPD
• David K. Madtes, MD (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) ñ Role of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 in Lung Fibrosis
• Kieran A. Marr, MD (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center / University of Washington) ñ Antifungal Drug Resistance in Aspergillus Species
• Scott Sinclair, MD (University of Washington Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine) ñ Physiologic Mechanisms of Ventilator-induced Lung Injury
• Daniel Weiss, MD (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) ñ Mechanisms of Perfluorocarbon Enhanced Gene Delivery to Lung

"Our vision is a world free of lung disease, and making it possible for these researchers to do their work just may be the single most important thing we do to make that vision a reality," said Lung Association president Erik Peterson in announcing the awards. "The Lung Association began its work nearly a century ago, fighting tuberculosis, then the most deadly disease in the world. Solid research showed us how to bring the tuberculosis epidemic under control in our country, and research will help us to eliminate the lung diseases that threaten our health today."

The scope of the new grants varies widely. Projects include investigation into basic mechanisms of lung injury and healing, enhancement of gene therapy for lung disease treatment, drug resistance in lung infection, and appropriate care for patients with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Each year, the American Lung Association of Washington offers a limited number of research grants in Washington state to support physicians and health care professionals with an interest in the care, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of lung disease. The Association supports both clinical and basic research, with emphasis on the Lung Associationís program goals of decreasing the impact of asthma on children and families; protecting indoor and outdoor air quality; and reducing tobacco use, especially among young people.

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Serving the citizens of Washington for nearly a century, the American Lung Association of Washington is a voluntary, community-supported health organization dedicated to assuring lung health for the people of Washington state through community service, education, advocacy, and research. The Associationís goals include improving the prevention, diagnosis and management of asthma; protecting air quality indoors and outdoors, and eliminating tobacco use, especially among young people.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2000

Contact: Judith Jones
(206) 441-5100 or jjones@alaw.org