Research
Research within the division is wide-ranging, not only from bench to bedside, but to population health and policy; extending from studies of smooth muscle physiology and intracellular signalling through to patient quality-of-life, and from mechanisms of disease through to its management. Clinical and research activities are closely integrated and largely collaborative, leading to a comprehensive investigation of mechanisms and outcomes. The proximity of research teams to clinical services has, on the one hand, allowed highly relevant and well-powered clinical studies, and on the other, has ensured rapid incorporation of new knowledge into the care of patients. Research at Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health is particularly strong in the following areas: asthma, small-animal imaging, allergen challenge, progenitor cell biology, induced sputum and markers of airway inflammation, epidemiology of asthma, mechanistic and cellular research, pulmonary fibrosis, inflammation and repair and clinical investigation.
Our Research in the News
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Pressure-Treated Yeast Fiber Compounds May Benefit IPF Patients
November 15, 2021
An inhalable therapeutic is being developed using pressure-treated yeast beta-glucan for people with COVID-19 as well as other severe lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is being developed by Ceapro Inc. in collaboration with Drs. Kjetil Ask and Todd Hoare.
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McMaster's research team discovers new mechanism to reprogram macrophages for potential fibrotic disease and COVID-19 therapy.
November 11, 2021
PGX-processed yeast beta-glucans (YBG) produced by CEAPRO inc. demonstrate the ability to reprogram macrophages while also possibly being a suitable therapeutic solution for patients with fibrotic lung disease and late stage COVID-19 patients.
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McMaster researchers investigate causes of long COVID
November 3, 2021
McMaster University scientists are conducting research on the long-term illness suffered by some patients after they’ve recovered from COVID-19, which may be caused by immune dysfunction.
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Dawn Bowdish on this year's cold and flu season and the health care system
October 6, 2021 by Andrea Lawson
Dawn Bowdish, professor and Canada research chair in aging immunity at McMaster, says this year’s cold and flu season could put a strain on the province’s already overloaded health care system.
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Best medications for chronic sinusitis identified, says study
September 21, 2021
Patients struggling with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps can greatly benefit from dupilumab, a biologic drug whose effectiveness was evaluated by researchers at McMaster University.
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Clinical trial on a plate: Researchers to create new “breathing” lung model to study illnesses like COVID-19
September 1, 2021 by Jessie Park
An interdisciplinary team of researchers from McMaster and SickKids, including two members of the MGDII College of Health Inventors, are developing a cutting-edge lung model that can better respond to viruses and drug treatments, giving scientists a tool to advance research in lung conditions like COVID-19, cystic fibrosis and allergens for asthma and air pollution.
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McMaster-based study supports third vaccination for seniors
August 17, 2021
Dawn Bowdish and Andrew Costa have shared important initial findings from an unpublished study on COVID-19 immunity responses in Ontario long-term care facility residents: third-dose boosters should be provided immediately to long-term care residents and other immunocompromised groups.
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Lung disease specialist takes up chair named for mentor
May 17, 2021
Martin Kolb begins his five-year appointment as the inaugural Jack Gauldie Boehringer Ingelheim Chair in Interstitial Lung Disease on July 1.
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Dawn Bowdish Appointed as Executive Director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health
March 10, 2021
Dr. Dawn Bowdish has accepted the position of Executive Director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
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Researchers find clues to SARS-CoV-2 infection and explore why COVID-19 impacts patients differently
August 11, 2020
Working together, researchers at McMaster University and the University of Waterloo are searching for how the SARS-CoV-2 virus infects the lungs – and they’re challenging what has become an accepted truth about the virus.
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Dr Anurag Bhalla as the Freddy Hargreave Fellow in Airway Diseases
July 14, 2020
Dr Anurag Bhalla is pursing his Masters in Dr. Nair's Lab and has been awarded the 2020 Freddy Hargreave Fellowship in Airway Diseases.
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The FIRH welcomes two new scientists to our faculty.
July 14, 2020
Two scientists, Sarah Svenningsen and Manali Mukherjee, who have recently won prestigious research awards, have joined the FIRH as Assistant Professors.
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Special delivery: PPE shipment arrives at St. Joe’s from research collaborators in Guangzhou, China
April 29, 2020
Guangzhou Institute for Respiratory Health (GIRH) ships personal protective equipment (PPE) including N95 respirators, masks, face shields, and gloves to St. Joe's.
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Research establishes how first exposure to a flu virus sets immunity for life
January 30, 2020
The first type of influenza virus we are exposed to in early childhood dictates our ability to fight the flu for the rest of our lives.
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40th anniversary video: Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health
October 23, 2019
View video about the Firestone, a world leader for 40 years in the understanding and treatment of life-threatening lung diseases.
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Take a deep breath: $2 Million Gift for Firestone from the Boris Family
October 23, 2019
The Boris Family has made a $2 million investment to the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health.
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Martin Kolb speaks to CHCH-TV about a new treatment for respiratory disease
October 23, 2019
In this video, a 38-year-old mother of four is battling a chronic respiratory disease called pulmonary fibrosis.
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Join Team FIRH for the Steeltown Stairclimb on November 9, 2019
October 2, 2019
This year’s Step Up & Breathe Steeltown Stair Climb, which will take place on Saturday, November 9th, 2019.
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Canadian biotech company teams up with Hamilton lung researchers led by Dr. Jay Hirota
May 31, 2019
Researchers at the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health led by Dr. Jeremy Hirota are collaborating with Aspect Biosystems, a Canadian biotech company that is pioneering 3D bioprinting of human tissues.
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Canadian Thoracic Society Awards at the American Thoracic Society Conference
May 31, 2019
Our FIRH trainees have done us proud by their outstanding performance at the Canadian Thoracic Society competition at the American Thoracic Society annual meeting last week in Dallas, Texas.
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Firestone Institute receives OLA funding for study led by Dr. Jay Hirota about the effects of cannabis smoke on the immune system
May 31, 2019
The Ontario (OLA) has announced a funding commitment of $50,000 to study the effects of combusted (smoked) cannabis on the immune system. The study is being led by Dr. Jay Hirota at the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.
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Team FIRH 2019 Events
May 31, 2019
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Around the Bay 2019 - Sign up or donate to Team FIRH
March 31, 2019
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