Dr. Floros leads a research program focused on the regulation of expression and/or function of pulmonary surfactant proteins, SP-A, SP-B, SP-D, and their role in pulmonary disease. The specific hypothesis states that regulatory, functional, or structural differences among the surfactant protein genetic variants are altered under certain circumstances. These changes in turn determine or contribute to the disease or the health status of an individual. Therefore, study of such differences among surfactant protein variants may contribute to our better understanding of the observed individual variability in the susceptibility of pulmonary disease. Dr. Floros's current research activities include: a) studies of molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of human SP-A and SP-B variants/genes in health and disease, b) studies of functional differences among the human SP-A variants/genes in the presence or absence of environmental insults, such as ozone exposure; c) studies of genetic associations of surfactant protein variants and pulmonary disease with emphasis on neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).