# Breathing Research and Therapeutics (BREATHE)

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2020 · $366,961

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
In this revised application, we propose a new pre- and post-doctoral training program at the University of
Florida: Breathing REsearch And THErapeutics (BREATHE). Our proposal is to create a training program
focused on the respiratory neuromuscular system, emphasizing the discovery of new knowledge and its
translation to neuromuscular disorders that compromise breathing and airway defense. Diminished breathing
capacity, unstable breathing and/or aspiration pneumonia from inadequate airway defense are hallmarks of
many neuromuscular disorders, and respiratory failure is the most common cause of death. However, despite
the fundamental importance of breathing and airway defense to the quality and duration of life in patients with
degenerative neuromuscular diseases (eg. Muscular Dystrophy, Pompe Disease, ALS) or neural injury (eg.
spinal cord injury), we know of no other training program with similar focus on breathing and airway defense in
in these conditions. Our proposal directly addresses this critical gap in NHLBI funded research training. The
ultimate goal of the BREATHE Training Program is to develop a unique cohort of researchers with strong
foundations in basic research on respiratory neuromuscular biology, and a strong appreciation for the
needs/realities of translational research in our attempts to develop treatments for impaired breathing and/or
airway defense. Our perspective is that we can accelerate progress towards development of effective
treatments for impaired breathing capacity/stability in diverse neuromuscular disorders by training investigators
with: 1) a well-developed and comprehensive conceptual framework embracing similarities and differences
between neuromuscular clinical disorders; and 2) a state-of-the-art “tool kit,” providing the technological know-
how to perform meaningful investigations in animal models and humans with spontaneous disease. We will
train individuals with diverse academic backgrounds, including neuroscience, muscle biology, engineering
and/or clinical training (physicians, physical or speech therapists and veterinarians; including multiple
specialties in each group). A hallmark of our program will be “cross-training,” where basic scientists are
exposed to meaningful clinical experiences, and clinician scientists establish strong basic research
foundations. We will capitalize on existing, and building strengths at the University of Florida to provide an
integrated research-training program in respiratory neuromuscular biology and translational research. The UF
Health Science Center has demonstrated its commitment to this area of research by creating a new Center for
Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation. This Center, and other strengths at the UF Health Science Center,
will provide an exceptional academic environment for the BREATHE Training Program.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9901627
- **Project number:** 5T32HL134621-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Gordon S. Mitchell
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $366,961
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-15 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9901627

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9901627, Breathing Research and Therapeutics (BREATHE) (5T32HL134621-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9901627. Licensed CC0.

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