Washington University in St. Louis (WU)
My lab researches the role of proteases in the development of lung diseases. We are involved in both basic science and clinical translational research in obstructive lung diseases with a special interest in COPD, cystic fibrosis, ciliary dyskinesia and idiopathic bronchiectasis. We utilize mouse models including smoke exposure of gene targeted mice to better understand human disease. In addition we are involved in translational research into monocyte/alveolar macrophage function in smokers with and without emphysema and genetic polymorphisms that correlate with these functional alterations. Our lab also is involved in therapeutic (Phase I-III) trials in bronchiectatic lung disease with a predominant interest in pharmaceutical treatments for chronic Pseudomonal infection in cystic fibrosis.