Rock Lab @ Boston University

Stem cells in lung development, injury and repair

We investigate how the many epithelial and stromal cell types of our lungs are generated during development, maintained for a lifetime and regenerated following injury. To do this, we use in vivo and in vitro models to identify and test the progenitor capacity of putative stem cell populations. We posit that aberrant stem cell behaviors explain many features of common lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis. For this reason, we study the molecular mechanisms and environmental influences (i.e., niche) that regulate the division and differentiation of stem cells along various lineages. Our ultimate goal is to identify genetic, molecular and cellular therapies for the treatment of lung disease.