The Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health (FIRH) is based out of St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and is affiliated with McMaster University. Clinical, research and educational activities are integrated and largely collaborative within the FIRH. The intent of this institute is to provide optimal patient care through clinical practice, translational research and the training of health care professionals.
Research is wide-ranging, from basic studies of animal models of lung disease (asthma, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, fibrosis) to clinical trials and epidemiological studies such as the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development Study (CHILD) birth cohort study, for which the FIRH is hosting the coordinating centre.
Specialized facilities have been established at the FIRH, such as the Sputum Research Laboratory and the Aerosol Research Laboratory. Scientists at the FIRH are performing studies of bone marrow progenitor cells, airway peptide challenges, electrophysiological studies of airway smooth muscle cells, chronic allergen challenges, preclinical models of lung injury and repair, and more. The research productivity of FIRH is attested to by the high quality and impact of the peer-reviewed publications.
