A Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI)-led project to better support young patients with chronic lung conditions has received federal funding.

Dr Rhiannon Werder was awarded a $986,000 Chronic Respiratory Conditions Grant by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to examine why people with lung conditions, including children with preschool wheeze and adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), often deteriorate when infected with common respiratory viruses.

Viral infections can cause damage to the lungs and are the leading cause of death in people with chronic respiratory diseases.

Image: Dr Rhiannon Werder

Dr Werder said the Federal Government support would enable her team to move beyond traditional methods and accelerate the discovery of effective treatments.

“Despite decades of research, there have been no breakthroughs in treating the specific impacts of viral infections on chronic lung conditions,” she said.

“By examining lung stem cells, grown in the lab using a patient’s own tissue, we can better understand why some many experience significant worsening of symptoms following a viral infection and if this can be prevented.”

Dr Werder said she hoped the findings could inform future treatments and help to improve the quality of life for those with chronic lung diseases.

Researchers from the University of Melbourne and University of Western Australia will also contribute to the study.

Read more about MCRI’s Lung Disease research.