Lab units

The Cell Analysis Unit

Principal Investigator (PI: Prof. Enrico Clini, MD, PhD)

This Unit is focused on the investigation of biological phenomena, including proliferation, differentiation, and activation of specific molecular pathways, in both fibrotic and healthy models of lung tissue. The Unit activities are focused on the identification of new fibrosis-related genes using in silico and in vitro assays and on the isolation of primary cells from lung biopsies of patients with lung fibrosis.

The Respiratory Bio-Mechanics Unit

Principal Investigator (PI: Roberto Tonelli, MD)

This Unit is focused on the mechanical properties of the fibrotic lung when subjected to mechanical ventilation (MV) with the aim to 1) provide insights on the key mechanisms of lung stress and stretch and its biological consequences; 2) elaborate a theoretical model able to explain the elastic behavior displayed by the lung with usual interstitial pneumonia pattern while on MV; 3) challenge the assumptions of the model through clinical observations on patients with interstitial lung disease undergoing non-invasive ventilatory support.

The Regenerative Medicine Unit

Principal Investigator (PI: Valeria Samarelli, PhD)

Under construction