4 million people die of chronic respiratory diseases every year, making it the third leading cause of death. Pulmonary diseases are incurable and donor lungs for transplantation are scarce. Our research aims to unravel the mechanisms underlying lung development with the purpose of harnessing the regenerative potential of adult stem cell populations in diseased individuals.
Impact
The ability to regenerate and renew is intrinsic to stem cells and embryonic tissue. However, this capacity is lost with age causing decreased performance and chronic illnesses. Obtaining knowledge on lung formation during development can uncover factors involved in resurrecting the rejuvenation programme of stem cells in adult organs. These insights have the potential to shape the regenerative medicine of tomorrow.
reNEW research
In the Sedzinski group we shine light into the mysteries of organ formation by capturing developmental events through live-imaging. By combining embryonic in-vivo models with the study of patient-derived tissue samples, we can bridge the gap between embryonic development and stem cells in disease states. We are currently scrutinizing a promising candidate that shows potential in rewriting cell fate of lung progenitors.
Image description
A glance into our airways: a lung-like epithelium in which cellular outlines appear in gray, orange marks mucus-producing goblet cells and magenta multiciliated cells that generate fluid flow to clear our lungs of harmful particles.
Credits
Larissa Thurner, PhD Fellow, Sedzinki Lab, reNEW Copenhagen.
