Cellular and Molecular Research

The Division of Pulmonary Medicine has several faculty members that focus on the cellular and molecular factors of lung disease, with particular relevance to cystic fibrosis (CF), pulmonary fibrosis, and circadian rhythms.

Our research tackles the difficult problems and possible solutions of these lifelong diseases by creating tools to empower the delivery of personalized, precise care to patients, studying the molecular and biologic mechanisms mediating pulmonary fibrotic processes and studying early drivers of lung disease in children. In CF, we are currently identifying interactions between cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and its binding partners. This work, conducted by John Brewington, MD, seeks to identify patients with rare CFTR gene mutations that would benefit from these CFTR (drugs) but otherwise do not have access due to the rarity of their genotype.

We are also working to identify patient- and therapy-specific factors that may reduce the benefits these treatments offer and develop tools to optimize these lifelong medications providing personalized, precise care to patients with rare CF genetic variants. Preclinical models of lung disease and smooth-muscle abnormalities are being developed by Elizabeth Kramer, MD, PhD, to understand more basic airway biology, and both preclinical and translational work in pulmonary fibrosis is being conducted by William Hardie, MD.

Our research stretches from the clinic to the laboratory and back, informing ongoing patient care and improving clinical outcomes. Natural cycles of light, waking and sleep can affect overall health. These circadian rhythms are being studied in detail by John Hogenesch, PhD, who focuses on the genetics of mammalian clock regulation.