PCCM Labs
The PCCM faculty at OHSU and VAPORHCS are engaged in a wide range of preclinical and clinical studies in areas and diseases that are of interest to pulmonary and CCM physicians.
Asthma
We are engaged in work to elucidate the mechanisms by which airways respond to pathogens and toxins to develop asthma. Our studies combine classical physiological in-vivo and in-vitro approaches with cutting edge live cell or high resolution structural imaging approaches. Our structure-function studies include the interactions between the airways, peripheral neurons, and the immune system. Faculty: Drs. David Jacoby, Allison Fryer, Matt Drake, Jane Nie.
Airway Inflammation
Cytokine release following interruption of CFTR by cigarette smoke or other toxins precipitates an inflammatory cascade that is positioned to damage the airways. Understanding this pathway is key to identifying new therapeutic targets for COPD and other chronic lung diseases. Faculty: Drs. Suil Kim, Stephen M. Smith
Surfactants
Pulmonary surfactant lowers surface tension in the lung. Our goal is to understand how this protein-lipid complex regulates surface tension under a range of conditions. Faculty: Dr. Stephen Hall
Bacterial Infection
To combat intracellular bacterial infection, the immune system must recognize that the cell is infected. The laboratories of Drs. Lewinsohn, Harriff and Karamooz are focused on understanding how T cells can detect intracellular infection. This work is of direct relevance to the development of improved diagnostics and vaccines against mycobacteria. Within OHSU, there is also a strong group of researchers focused on TB as well as non-TB mycobacteria. These interests range from epidemiology and clinical management (Winthrop), to microbiology (Purdy), to macrophage biology (Tafesse), to pediatric TB (Drs. Deborah Lewinsohn and Chris Lancioni).
Neuronal Signaling in the CNS
Altered brain function is a harbinger of poor outcome in a large range of illnesses affecting the ICU patient but our understanding and therapeutic armamentarium remains inadequate in a number of conditions. We are attempting to identify novel mechanisms impacting specific forms of neuronal signaling at the cellular and circuit level that may be used to regulate acute pathological disturbances of the brain. Faculty: Drs. Stephen M. Smith, Miranda Lim.
Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
Disturbed sleep and circadian rhythms are associated with many diseases. Our focus is on how sleep modulates neurological, psychiatric, and pulmonary disorders. Faculty: Drs. Miranda Lim, Jonathan Emens, Steven Shea
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Clinical research studies include our role as a major contributor to the studies undertaken by the PETAL clinical trials network. In addition to these studies on ARDS, we are developing and evaluating simulation tools to determine the optimal mechanism of training physicians to deliver best ventilator care in patients with respiratory failure. Faculty: Drs. Akram Khan,Stephanie Nonas, Jonathon Pak
Pulmonary and Critical Care & Sleep Medicine (PRISM) Research.
COPD
We are exploring alternative methods for delivery of pulmonary rehabilitation and of models chronic illness care to optimize outcomes for patients wit COPD and multi-morbidity. Faculty: Drs. Katie Artis, David Coultas.
Lung Cancer
We study mechanisms at multiple levels of health care delivery, including patient-clinician relationship, health care system, and policy, that are associated with patient-centered outcomes for people the and at-risk for lung cancer. We utilize several different methodologies to provide a robust understanding of these mechanisms including prospective trials, "big data" with advanced bio statistical analyses, survey-based research, and qualitative methodologies. Faculty: Drs. Chris Slatore, Don Sullivan
Critical Care Outcomes Research
We have a strong interest in effective and appropriate healthcare delivery in ciritcal care settings. We have developd an ICU outcomes research group that is currently working on how organization of ICU processes impacts outcomes. Faculty: Drs. Kelly Vranas, Chris Slatore
Electronic Health Record
The widespread introduction of the electronic health record (EHR) has provided opportunities for us to objectively study optimal use of patient data in real and simulated patient care environments. Our group leverages high-fidelity simulation to understand factors associated with safe and effective use of EHRs, and use this data to both inform training and EHR redesign. We are currently working to determine how physicians and other health care workers might use the EHR to minimize medical errors in the ICU and improve data communication during daily rounds, to use simulation to develop a curriculum for training of medical scribes in safe and effective EHR use across a variety of ambulatory and inpatient specialties, and to leverage EHR simulation to redesign the EHR training system wide. . Faculty: Drs. Jeff Gold, Katie Artis
Portland - Pulmonary & Critical Care Clinical Research Team - Check it out here!