Overview
We aim to understand airway micro-physiology in health and disease to engineer new diagnostics and therapeutics for obstructive lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis (CF).
In our group, new measurements are developed that address the limitations of traditional methods by resolving the nano- to microscale features of the lung airway epithelial surface to provide a more accurate view of mucus clearance. This will allow us determine under what conditions mucus is efficiently cleared from the lung and why it becomes stagnant in pulmonary diseases. In addition, we study how respiratory viruses avoid physiological clearance mechanisms to initiate infections that are especially detrimental in individuals with obstructive lung disease. Ultimately, the new sensitive methods developed in our lab to more carefully examine lung health will help in design of improved therapies and diagnostics for pulmonary diseases. This research at the interface of engineering and medicine will provide a new perspective on pulmonary disease onset and progression. The disciplines of biochemistry, biophysics, engineering, and materials science all influence our approach to characterize complex biological systems on the microscale.
In our group, new measurements are developed that address the limitations of traditional methods by resolving the nano- to microscale features of the lung airway epithelial surface to provide a more accurate view of mucus clearance. This will allow us determine under what conditions mucus is efficiently cleared from the lung and why it becomes stagnant in pulmonary diseases. In addition, we study how respiratory viruses avoid physiological clearance mechanisms to initiate infections that are especially detrimental in individuals with obstructive lung disease. Ultimately, the new sensitive methods developed in our lab to more carefully examine lung health will help in design of improved therapies and diagnostics for pulmonary diseases. This research at the interface of engineering and medicine will provide a new perspective on pulmonary disease onset and progression. The disciplines of biochemistry, biophysics, engineering, and materials science all influence our approach to characterize complex biological systems on the microscale.
Focus Areas
Airway clearance
We are studying how biophysical and interfacial interactions between the mucus gel and periciliary layer (PCL) on the lung airway surface impact mucus clearance in health and disease.
Pulmonary exacerbations
We are studying the dynamic behavior of viruses in the respiratory tract to elucidate their role in infections that lead to worsening of obstructive lung disease symptoms and rapid declines in lung function.
Nanoscale diagnostics & therapeutics
We are developing nanoscale multi-modal biosensors of disease indicators and delivery vehicles for drug/nucleic acid-based therapies.
We are studying how biophysical and interfacial interactions between the mucus gel and periciliary layer (PCL) on the lung airway surface impact mucus clearance in health and disease.
Pulmonary exacerbations
We are studying the dynamic behavior of viruses in the respiratory tract to elucidate their role in infections that lead to worsening of obstructive lung disease symptoms and rapid declines in lung function.
Nanoscale diagnostics & therapeutics
We are developing nanoscale multi-modal biosensors of disease indicators and delivery vehicles for drug/nucleic acid-based therapies.
Summary of Focus Areas.
Funding
We thank the following organizations for supporting this work:
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