Harnessing natural resistance to lung disease towards new treatments

About the project:

Respiratory viruses are the most common infections worldwide and cause significant illness in people of all ages. However, there are still very limited treatment options and only a small number of effective vaccines.

Rather than explore treatment options that target respiratory viruses, this project aims to enhance the patient’s ability to control the infection. The team will grow iPSC-derived models of airway epithelium to test whether they can turn on a “by-stander” mode in all cells, making them more resistant or better equipped to fight infection.

Lead researchers: Dr Rhiannon Werder

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