The Hu lab focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms that regulate lung repair and regeneration after injury. We aim to uncover therapeutic
pathways that promote small airway and alveolar regeneration, particularly in diseases where current treatments are limited, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Using a combination of animal models (mouse, ferret, and pig), human cell and tissue
models, and spatial transcriptomics, we investigate how epithelial cells sense injury, interact with their surrounding niche, and re-establish tissue homeostasis. We
are especially interested in how epithelial dysfunction and aberrant cell–cell communication contribute to impaired regeneration and disease progression. By
integrating basic biology with translational models, our goal is to identify novel targets and strategies that restore the lung’s intrinsic capacity to repair itself and
ultimately improve outcomes for patients with chronic lung diseases.