Research track: Lung function, ventilation and airway disease

Milestones

Next Lung Track Day 15 November 2024

About the research track

Respiratory medicine is an increasingly important medical field, as respiratory diseases are a growing cause of morbidity and mortality. The research track aims to disseminate knowledge about different aspects of the physiology and pathology of the respiratory system to doctoral students who are (or want to become) doctoral students at Uppsala University in this field.

The areas included are basic, pharmacological, biomedical and clinical sciences. In particular, the Lung Track will seek to create a common platform for knowledge, which, due to the tendency of research to be highly specialised, is often perceived as secondary during doctoral training.

Moreover, by bringing together young and senior researchers working in neighbouring fields, economies of scale in scientific activities can be achieved, through the exchange of ideas and the possibility of spontaneous aggregations.

The Lung track focuses on basic scientific and clinical knowledge of respiratory function and its diseases through lectures aimed at understanding pathology and its impact on patients. The track is led by experienced researchers and clinicians and provides an ideal foundation for physicians who already are or want to become doctoral students in the field.

Track coordinator

Gaetano Perchiazzi, Docent of Anesthesia and Intensive Care

Assisting secretary and contact

Eva-Maria Hedin, Administrator

Track leaders

Andrei Malinovschi, Professor of Clinical Physiology

Gaetano Perchiazzi, Docent of Anesthesia and Intensive Care

Jenny Hallgren Martinsson, Docent of Infections and Immunity

Mirjam Ljunggren, Researcher in respiratory, allergy and sleep research

Össur Emilsson, Docent of Respiratory Medicine

Activity plan

The research track consists of different activities.

Thematic meeting

Once a year, a thematic meeting is organised covering the physiology and pathology of the lungs and airways. It aims to create common knowledge between doctoral students working in different fields and is conceived as a classic ex-cathedra course held by leading/senior researchers with various academic credentials.

Since the aim is to talk to students from different backgrounds, it is necessary to use a language that can be understood by researchers coming from different departments/programmes. A preliminary list of broad topics (not necessarily corresponding to specific lectures) includes the following:

Lung mechanics, circulation, gas exchange
Non-respiratory functions of the lung
Histology and cellular biology of cells in the respiratory system
Pathophysiology of asthma, COPD, interstitial diseases, pneumonia, ARDS, sleep-disordered breathing, including biomarkers of disease
Pharmacology of drugs acting on airways, epithelium and pulmonary circulation
Mechanical ventilation (invasive and non-invasive) of the lungs
Physics of inhaled drugs
Study methods of respiratory function: cellular methods (cultures, biomaterials, etc.)
Study methods of respiratory function: lung function testing - animal models, standard clinical methods, research methods.
Study methods of respiratory function: imaging (CT, MR, PET, SRCT)
Animal models of lung diseases (together with SLU)
Biosensors and data acquisition methods (with the Department of Electrical Engineering at Uppsala University)

Brainstorming days

Lung-researchers’ brainstorming days. These events allow you to present your research to other young and experienced colleagues in a format that allows for open debate chaired by senior researchers.

Mono-thematic days

Promotion of mono-thematic days, organised by researchers from the different areas among the group of lung researchers.

Lung Track Day 15 November

Theme: Embracing networks for lung research and transdisciplinary exploration
Location: Blåsenhus, von Kraemers allé 1A, lärosal 12:004*

* Might be moved to the Uppsala University Hospital if a room becomes available.

Programme

Moderator: Jenny Hallgren Martinsson

9:00–9:20

Welcome and presentation of today’s theme

Committée

9:25–10:05

Distribution of macrophages during mechanical ventilation and high tissue strain

Gaetano Perchiazzi

10:10–10:25

Tea and coffee

10:30–11:10

Using spatial omics to understand the tissue microenvironment

Charlotte Stadler

(leg stretch)

11:20–12:00

Open discussion

12:00–13:00

Lunch

Moderator: Össur Emilsson

13:05–13:45

Swedish Pulmonary Alliance for Research Collaboration (SPARC)

Mirjam Ljunggren

13:50–14:30

Breathe Sweden

Christer Janson

14:30–14:50

Tea and coffee

14:55–15:35

SCAPIS

Andrei Malinovschi

15:45–16:15