APF’s vision is to find a cure for pulmonary fibrosis so that everyone affected by the disease has a better future.
Research funded by Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis
We are one of the major charities funding pulmonary fibrosis research in Europe. With your help, we are determined to make the greatest contribution we can to national and global research efforts.
We directly fund high quality, high impact research that has the potential to:
- contribute towards the discovery of an effective treatment or cure, and
- accelerate change which will enable our community to live well for longer.
Our amazing fundraisers and supporters enable us to invest in research. From marathons to coffee mornings, selling crafts to singing songs, and heartfelt donations in memory of loved ones, every penny has the potential to change a life. Join us in our research appeal to provide Hope for All.
Read about our latest research funding opportunities here
Our scientists
We fund research scientists who are dedicated to increasing our knowledge and understanding of pulmonary fibrosis and ensuring that everyone affected by the disease has a better future. We are currently funding two research fellowships in honour of APF’s founding chair of trustees Mike Bray, who passed away in 2017. Mike lived for six years following his lung transplant as a result of his IPF.
Dr Richard Allen, University of Leicester:
“Investigating the genetics of disease progression and classifying disease subtypes for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis”
Dr Allen’s research focuses on the genetics of pulmonary fibrosis. So far, IPF has been shown to be associated with almost 20 genetic variations in patients. This project will compare the DNA of individuals with IPF to identify the genes that explain why some people experience very severe disease whereas others have milder symptoms. This will hopefully lead to the identification of the different chemical and biological pathways involved in the process of fibrosis and to new treatments.
I am so excited to be given this chance to extend my work on the genetics of IPF which will help guide the development of new treatments for this devastating disease. I would like to thank Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis for giving me this incredible opportunity.
Genetic insights raise the future prospect of precision medicine, making it possible to target specific treatments to patients based on genetic or molecular abnormalities. Over the next three years, many more IPF-associated genetic variations are expected to be identified as a result of research by Dr Richard Allen at the University of Leicester. Dr Allen completed his fellowship in 2023 and continues his work in this area.
Join us in our research appeal so that we can fund more researchers like Dr Allen and find out more about why he is passionate about pulmonary fibrosis research.
Dr Philip Molyneaux, Imperial College London:
“Microbiome, Metabolism and Macrolides in IPF”
Dr Molyneaux’s research is investigating the role different bacteria play in disease progression and whether taking prophylactic antibiotics can slow down disease progression.
It’s fantastic to be able to undertake research, supported by Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, a patient-driven charity. I look forward to the next few years of exciting research ahead.
In IPF there are changes in the number and types of bacteria in the lungs, but we don’t understand why they are there or what they are doing. Dr Molyneaux’s research will aim to answer these questions, looking at how bacteria interact with cells in the lungs and what changes happen following antibiotics. Understanding this may allow us to identify new treatments or specific groups of patients with IPF who will benefit from existing therapies.
Join us in our research appeal so that we can fund more researchers like Dr Molyneaux, and find out more about what he hopes his research will achieve.