Basic/Translational Research
In addition to patient-oriented research, we have a very active, basic science program utilizing patient-derived samples as well as innovative cell-culture and animal models focused on translating what we learn from patients into new approaches to treat or prevent Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). Currently funded/active projects include:
- Pulmonary fibrosis at single-cell resolution. These studies use lung tissue samples from patients with ILD and cutting-edge technologies that allow us to analyze the gene expression programs of individual cells in order to identify key factors that drive the fibrotic process in ILD lungs.
- Thromboxane-prostanoid receptor in pulmonary fibrosis. These studies are investigating the role of reactive oxygen species and signaling through the thromboxane-prostanoid receptor as a potential treatment for ILD.
- Herpesvirus infection and immune dysregulation in pulmonary fibrosis. These studies are using an animal model of viral infection to investigate the role of adaptive immunity in lung fibrosis.
- Molecular mechanisms of telomerase mutations and DNA-repair in IPF. These studies, using cell and animal models, are investigating how mutations in genes related to telomere biology and DNA-repair contribute to lung fibrosis.
- AT2 cell dysfunction in IPF. These studies, utilizing mouse models, cell culture, and organoid models are focused on understanding how cellular hypoxia and endoplasmic reticulum stress influence lung epithelial repair and remodeling.