Scientists at UTHealth Houston, led by Dr. Holger Eltzschig, are studying how the body naturally adapts to low oxygen (hypoxia) to develop new treatments for heart and lung diseases. Backed by a $6.58 million, seven-year NIH grant, their research focuses on hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs)—proteins that help cells survive oxygen deprivation and control inflammation.
The initiative, called the Hypoxia-Inflammation Program, will explore how HIFs can protect tissues, reduce harmful inflammation, and improve recovery from conditions like acute respiratory syndrome and heart attacks. It will also investigate HIFs’ interaction with the body’s circadian rhythm.
This collaborative effort includes a multidisciplinary team from UTHealth Houston and institutions worldwide. In addition to research, the program supports training future scientists, building on a strong history of mentoring successful investigators.
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