Lung function, ventilation and airway disease

Research Track Lung function, ventilation and airway disease

Quick links to the research tracks

Milestones

The next PhD Days will be on 11 November 2023 and 14 February 2024.

Register for the PhD Day on 21 November 2023

About the research track

Respiratory medicine is an increasingly important field of medicine, as respiratory diseases are a growing cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this research track is to share the knowledge of the different aspects of the physiology and pathology of the respiratory system among post-graduate students who are (or are going to be) part of a PhD programme at Uppsala University in this field.

The areas covered include basic, pharmacological, biomedical and clinical sciences. In particular, the track tries to create a common platform of knowledge that, with the tendency of research to be highly specialised, often is perceived as of secondary importance during the PhD studies. Moreover, gathering young and senior researchers working in neighbouring areas will provide an economy of scale in the scientific activities deriving from the circulation of ideas and the possibility of spontaneous aggregations.

The lung track focuses on basic scientific and clinical knowledge in respiratory function and its diseases through lectures directed towards understanding pathology and its impact on patients. This track, taught by leading scientists and clinicians, provides an ideal foundation for post-graduates who already are a part of or wish to undertake a PhD programme in the field.

Organisation

• Track coordinator: Gaetano Perchiazzi, Docent of Anesthesia and Intensive Care
• Assisting secretary and contact: Eva-Maria Hedin

Track leaders

• Christer Janson, Professor of Respiratory Medicine
• Eva Lindberg, Professor of Medicine
• Andrei Malinovschi, Professor of Clinical Physiology
• Gaetano Perchiazzi, Docent of Anesthesia and Intensive Care

Plan of activities

The research track consists of different activities. 

1. Once a year, a thematic meeting is offered, covering lung and airway physiology and pathology, aiming at creating common knowledge between PhD students working in different fields. It is intended as a classical ex-cathedra course, held by leading scientists/senior researchers of different academic degrees. Since the aim is to talk to students with diverse backgrounds, it is necessary to use a language that can be understood by researchers coming from different faculties/courses. A preliminary list of broad topics (which do not necessarily correspond to specific talks) includes: 
   1. Lung mechanics, circulation, gas exchange
   2. Non-respiratory functions of the lung 
   3. Histology and cellular biology of cells of the respiratory system 
   4. Pathophysiology of asthma, COPD, interstitial diseases, pneumonia, ARDS, sleep-disordered breathing, including biomarkers of disease
   5. Pharmacology of drugs acting on airways, epithelium and lung circulation 
   6. Mechanical ventilation (invasive and noninvasive) of the lung
   7. Physics of inhaled drugs
   8. study methods of respiratory function: cellular methods (cultures, biomaterials, etc.)
   9. study methods of respiratory function: pulmonary function testing – animal models, standard clinical methods, research methods 
   10. study methods of respiratory function: imaging methods (CT, RM, PET; SRCT) 
   11. animal models of lung diseases (together with SLU)
   12. biosensors and data acquisition methods (together with the Dept. Electrical Engineering of Uppsala University)
2. Lung-researchers brainstorming days. These are the occasions to present your own research to other young and senior colleagues, using a format that gives the possibility of having an open debate, chaired by senior researchers.
3. Promotion of mono-thematic days, organised by the researchers of the different areas among the entire group of lung researchers.

Content owner: Petter Cronsten 08 september 2023