Research

In the Herriges Lab we are interested in understanding how the lung normally develops and responds to different stresses, with the ultimate goal of developing new therapies for pulmonary injury and disease. Towards this end, our previous and ongoing research includes developing new models for pulmonary cell engraftment, in which we transplant new primary or engineered cells into the lung with the hope of replacing diseased or damaged cells. Through these techniques, we not only test the efficacy of potential cell based therapies for different diseases, but also have a tool to study cell interactions within these contexts. More information to come as projects develop!

4 days post transplantation of GFP+ (green) lung epithelial cells into the left lobe of a mouse’s lungs. Both left and cranial right lobe are shown using red autofluorescence.
GFP+ donor-derived cells (green) give rise to SFTPC+ (white) AT2-like cells and PDPN+ (red) AT1-like cells by 2 weeks post transplantation.