The Lung Biology and Disease Program represents the coordinated efforts of more than 30 faculty members whose research focuses on the lung. The program members consist of both MD and Ph.D. faculty with research interests in basic science aspects of lung disease, translational and pre-clinical animal models, as well as clinical research.

Preclinical animal models: Cigarette-smoke induced acute and chronic lung injury (COPD model), hyperoxic lung injury, asthma, inhaled particle and gas-induced lung damage, infectious organisms including P. carinii, P. aeruginosa and Influenza, and ionizing radiation and chemotherapy induced lung damage. These models can be used to test a variety of compounds and biologics for efficacy. The program has expertise in Inflammation, Immunology, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Toxicology, Pathology, Physiology and Clinical Translation.

Inhalation facilities: New state-of-the-art facilities are available for exposing animals to a variety of particles, gases, tobacco smoke, and small molecules. This facility also has the capability of using gene therapeutic approaches for the treatment of lung diseases. The program also has a unique facility for exposing human beings to small molecules, gases, etc. via inhalation in one of the few purpose-built human inhalation chambers in the USA. Measurement of biomarkers in the blood, saliva and bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) fluid is also accomplished.

Human tissues and samples: The group has ongoing efforts revolving around lung injury due to infection, trauma and toxicant induced-lung injury. These include access to human samples of lung tissue, BAL fluid, induced sputum etc from patient populations with COPD, asthma, lung injury of human lung fibroblasts from normal and diseased lung tissue. These cells are ideal for evaluating the effects of small molecules on human cells of biologic relevance.

Anti-inflammatory mediators: Investigation of certain novel small molecules developed here at Rochester that possesses anti-inflammatory activity. The approaches we have developed interfere with how cigarette smoke evokes an inflammatory response. Data generated from mouse models of smoke-induced lung injury and testing on bona fide human lung structural cells have identified a novel pathway for regulating inflammation in the lung, and possibly other tissues.

Gene therapy for lung scarring: Investigators have developed gene therapeutic stratagies to deliver molecules which inhibit key effectors such as transforming growth factor beta, cytokine crucial to the genesis of scarring in the lung, kidney, liver and skin. Fibrotic diseases are currently untreatable, and are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.

New Grant Awards: Congratulations and contiunued success to:

B. Paige Lawrence (Env. Med): 5RC2ES018750-02 NIH/NIEHS
Title: Developmental toxicity of bisphenol A and immune-mediated diseases
09/28/2009 - 06/30/2011
Total Direct Costs: $764,114
Principal Investigator: B. Paige Lawrence
Co-investigators: Lawrence Sauberman and Steve Georas

Irfan Rahman (Env Med): R01HL097751-01 NIH/NHLBI
Title: Circadian-coupled cellular and lung function in COPD
09/01/2009 - 08/31/2014
Total Direct Costs: $1,250,000
Principal Investigator: Irfan Rahman
Co-investigators: Patricia Sime, Paige Lawrence

Irfan Rahman (Env Med) 1R01HL092842-01A2 NIH/NHLBI
Title: Role of sirtuin in regulation of cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation and injury
02/01/2010 - 01/31/2015
Total Direct Costs: $1,250,000
Principal Investigator: Irfan Rahman
Co-investigator: Michael Bulger

Richard Phipps (Env Med) 1RC1HL100051-01
Title: Microparticles as messengers of communication between blood and vascular cells
09/30/2009- 09/30/2011
Total Direct Costs: $650,408
Principal Investigator: Richard Phipps
Co-investigators: Mark Taubman, Junichi Abe, Charles Francis, Sherry Spinelli

Richard Phipps and Neil Blumberg (Env Med and Path): 5R01HL095467-02
Title: Identification and significance of biologic mediators in red cell concentrates
9/16/2009-7/31/2013
Total Direct Costs: $1,000,000
Principal Investigators: Richard Phipps and Neil Blumberg
Co-Investigators: Patricia Sime, Sherry Spinelli, David Oakes

Alison Elder and Gunter Oberdorster (Env Med): New Grant #: 5RC2ES018741-02
Title: Hazard Assessment and Risk Estimation of Inhaled Nanomaterials Exposure
09/26/2009-06/30/2011
Total Direct Costs: $662,911
Principal Investigators: Alison Elder and Gunter Oberdorster
Co-investigators: Pratim Biswas, Jacob Finkelstein, Robert Hurt, Agnes Kane, Kerry O'Banion, David Pui, Jing Wang, Wolfgang Kreyling

Mark Frampton (Medicine and Env Med): 5RC1ES018519-02
Title: Cardiovascular Effects of Ultrafine Particles in Genetically
Susceptible Subjects
Total Direct Costs: $671,320
09/30/2009-07/31/2011
Principal Investigator: Mark Frampton
Co-Investigators: Mark Utell, David Oakes, Anthony Pietropaoli

Opportunities for Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Training.

This University has had continuous support from the National Institutes of Health for doctoral and postdoctoral training in disciplines related to lung disease since 1970. Our program supports both predoctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. The candidates for the doctorate usually attain their degrees in toxicology, microbiology and immunology, pathology, and biochemistry.