Laboratory of Rare Lung Diseases

ABI History

The Airways Biology Initiative (ABI), which was founded in 2005, conducts basic research in immunology, physiology and molecular biology related to understanding the mechanisms that regulate airway function and leukocyte interactions in asthmachronic obstructive pulmonary disease and adult bronchiectasis. The ABI also performs unique clinical studies utilizing state-of-the-art pulmonary function testing, airway imaging (computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, µCT scans, and confocal bronchoscopy) and invasive techniques (bronchoscopy) to assess airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction. Additionally, the ABI provides one of the only Respiratory Phase II Clinical Research Unit in the United States for drug evaluation.

The ABI is renowned for establishing state-of-the-art clinical and research programs that translate discoveries into new therapeutics for patients with airways disease that also includes orphan diseases such as lymphangioleiomyomatosis, Castleman disease, and Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome. Further, the ABI provides unique opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral research and clinical education and training.

The program is interdisciplinary by nature and multicentric using fundamental and clinical science expertise from the Departments of Medicine, Pediatrics, Radiology, Surgery, Pharmacology and Emergency Medicine in the Schools of Medicine and Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine as well as at the Wistar Institute. The ABI is staffed by eight faculty, 36 support members and state-of-the-art facilitie. The Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology Human Exposure Laboratory is also directed by the ABI at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

Clinical Studies for Subject Recruitment

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