The Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine™ sponsors basic and clinical research in allergy and asthma, critical care, sarcoidosis, sleep medicine and cystic fibrosis.

Pioneering techniques for the purification of human lung mast cells were discovered in our basic research laboratories. Other studies involve methods to characterize the molecular and genetic expression of chemical mediators in allergy and asthma, research into novel inhibitors of the human allergic release process, and new mechanisms to inhibit mast cell growth. Clinical studies include the epidemiology of asthma, particularly in Philadelphia’s high-risk urban population, emergency care of asthma patients, and the natural history of asthma treatments and outcomes.

Sarcoidosis research includes two case control etiologic studies, an evaluation of the appropriateness of a diagnosis of sarcoidosis, and the efficacy of new treatments for the disorder. Investigations into sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) involve efforts to define the role of recombinant tissue factor inhibitor in sepsis. Researchers also participate in a multi-center study to evaluate novel ARDS treatments.

A recently initiated program in sleep medicine research currently focuses on two investigations. Researchers are studying the prevalence of sleep disordered breathing in diastolic heart failure and the impact of continuous positive airway pressure. They also are evaluating the impact of hemodynamics optimization on Cheyne-Stokes respirations in severe systolic heart failure.

Drexel University College of Medicine is home to one of the largest cystic fibrosis centers in the U.S. Research includes the epidemiology of cystic fibrosis, the evaluation of nutritional status on pulmonary function, and the role of inhaled and intravenous antibiotics. University investigators recently received a National Institutes of Health grant to study the effects of diabetes therapy in improving muscle mass and clinical status in cystic fibrosis subjects with abnormal glucose tolerance.