Tereza Martinu
Profile: Affiliate Scientist, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network
Department: Lung Transplant Clinic, University Health Network
Research Interests:
My research focuses on chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD), which is the major cause of late death in lung transplant recipients. The mechanisms of CLAD remain unclear and there are no available treatments. While many post-transplant lung injuries likely contribute to CLAD pathogenesis, the common final pathway likely involves epithelial injury. My research group has advanced the idea that decreased regenerative capacity and exhaustion of epithelial progenitor cells predisposes to CLAD. We are exploring strategies for improving or restoring epithelial regeneration in animal models of CLAD and hope that this will be translated to human lung transplant patients in the future.