Our lab studies lung physiology using a variety of models to characterize injury/disease and assess the efficacy of potential therapeutics. The experiments we perform model a number of conditions including pulmonary hypertension, chronic hypoxia, hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, acid aspiration, and bacterial infections. We have a number of specialized equipment in the lab, including an intravital microscope which allows us to visualize the respiratory mechanics of live rodent lungs in real time. Our isolated perfused lung system is used to measure various paramaters of pulmonary injury, such as edema, in lungs taken out of rodents. We also use transendothelial electrical resistance assays to study different facets of barrier function in pulmonary cells. Other techniques include Western blot, PCR, immunofluorescence, histology, calcium imaging, and flow cytometry.
