Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that Loma Linda University (LLU) has received a $2.6 million research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The funding will be allocated over five years and allow LLU to conduct an in-depth research project into lung interoception.

“The Inland Empire is home to world-class research institutions like Loma Linda University, and federal investment empowers them to stay on the cutting edge of the medical field and continue supporting jobs in our region. I’m proud to announce this funding, and I look forward to seeing the progress that will be made as a result of this study,” said Aguilar.

“Interoception refers to the network of nerves that convey information from our internal organs to the brain. In the lung, these nerves connect with the part of the brain that controls breathing. These nerves are present early in fetal life, long before the lung is fully developed, and before the fetus needs to breathe. This project will study what role these nerves play in preparing the fetal lung and brain to breathe after birth,” said Arlin Blood, PhD, Associate Professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine.

Rep. Aguilar serves on the House Appropriations Committee, the committee responsible for funding federal programs and agencies like NIH.