Research Projects

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal lung disorder characterized by thickening and scarring of lung tissue. It is the most common form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and has a poor prognosis with a mean survival of 3 to 5 years after diagnosis. Developing effective treatment approaches for IPF remains a challenge, and its global incidence continues to rise, resulting in higher mortality, morbidity, and economic healthcare burden. Despite increased awareness, the etiology and physiological mechanism of IPF remain unclear. Evidence suggests that occult environmental exposures, such as particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), are an important risk factor in its pathogenesis. Recent clinical trials in the field have been disappointing, and the lack of human-relevant preclinical models has led to fewer effective medications reaching patients. An exhaustive in-vitro study is needed to decipher the pathophysiology of IPF disease and discover novel therapeutic drug targets. Organoid technology can be used to recapitulate cellular composition, architecture, functionality, and 3D microenvironment of in-vivo lung tissue. The objective of this study is to strengthen current IPF therapeutics by providing a robust and stringent protocol to generate clinical grade lung organoids for the identification of potential biomarkers and deciphering the underlying mechanism of IPF. The lung organoid model will be used for high throughput screening of novel potential therapeutic agents for IPF.

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