Whitsett Research Lab

Comprehensive Research into Lung Development and Function 

Jeffrey Whitsett’s laboratory makes extensive use of conditional gene targeting in transgenic mice, bioinformatics, physiology and biochemistry in the study of lung formation and function. Transgenic mice models are utilized to understand the pathogenesis of genetic and inflammatory lung disorders and to develop new therapies for respiratory disease. Conditional systems for gene targeting have been developed for study of lung formation and function, as well as for identifying lung progenitor cells and their fates in the mouse.

Currently, the Whitsett Laboratory seeks to:

• Elucidate the hierarchy of transcription and signaling networks that produce the differentiated epithelial cells lining the developing  and mature respiratory tract
• Determine mechanisms controlling cell-specific gene transcription governing lung epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation related to the pathogenesis of acute and chronic lung disorders, including respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary fibrosis, disorders of surfactant homeostasis (figure 1), asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis (CF)
• Assess mechanisms controlling surfactant homeostasis at the cellular and molecular level

Educational Opportunities

• PhD and MD/PhD: Students interested in PhD training should contact Jeffrey Whitsett and apply to the Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program.
• Postdoctoral: Graduates interested in postdoctoral training should contact Whitsett and send their resumes (including publications).
• MD: Clinical fellow applicants should contact Whitsett and apply to the Neonatology Fellowship Training Program.

Publications

• Jeffrey Whitsett is the author of more than 500 papers in basic science and clinical literature. View representative publications.