March 17, 2026
Key takeaways
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine received a $7.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support lung disease research.
- Rama K. Mallampalli, MD, was awarded the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute R35 Outstanding Investigator Award, which will fund a seven-year project investigating how ubiquitin E3 ligases impact innate immunity in acute lung injury.
- The R35 program allows established scientists to pursue innovative research while mentoring emerging researchers.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, cough, fast heart rate and confusion are some of the symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This often-fatal diagnosis comes after someone experiences a major illness or injury.
The National Institutes of Health awarded $7.7 million to The Ohio State University College of Medicine to bolster research into the cause and treatment of lung conditions like ARDS.
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute R35 Outstanding Investigator Award went to Rama K. Mallampalli, MD, clinical professor and chair of the Department of Internal Medicine. The seven-year award provides long-term support for the Acute Lung Injury Center.
The funded project, Regulation of Ubiquitin E3 Ligases and Innate Immunity in ARDS, examines how ubiquitin E3 ligases affect innate immune responses.
“The award will advance our research team’s efforts to understand how key molecular regulators of the immune system influence lung inflammation and injury,” said Mallampalli, who holds the S. Robert Davis Chair of Medicine. “Our ultimate goal is to develop new therapeutic approaches for severe lung disease.”
The NHLBI R35 Program is highly competitive. With the steady support it provides, established researchers can focus on making scientific advances and exploring new ideas. The R35 program also gives them the chance to mentor students and early-career scientists.
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Media contact: Serena Smith, Wexner Medical Center Media Relations, Serena.Smith@osumc.edu