Molecular Microbiology & Immunology

My current research interest focuses on defining the molecular and immunologic mechanism regulating airway and alveolar remodeling that includes emphysema, fibrosis and lung cancer. Recently our laboratory, in collaboration with Dr. Elias, made a significant progress in defining the role of chitinase-like protein (CLP) Chi3l1/YKL-40 in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation, airway remodeling, and lung injury. Our laboratory also has been intensely working to define in vivo role and mechanism of chitotriosidase, TGF-beta1 and other mediators that regulate the development of lung fibrosis by generation and characterization of gene-specific null and transgenic mice.