Darcy Wagner
WCMM Fellow | Lung Bioengineering and Regeneration
Our research
The Lung Bioengineering and Regeneration (LBR) Lab at Lund University focuses on growing new lung tissue in the lab for transplantation or to use this bioengineered tissue to study how the extracellular environment directs stem cell behavior. We use a multidisciplinary approach using advances in materials science (polymer design and synthesis), manufacturing (e.g. 3D bioprinting), and endogenous lung stem cells to construct this bioengineered tissue and these new models.
Aims
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Design and use of biologic (acellular) and synthetic scaffolds to bioengineer new lung tissue for transplantation.
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Understand the role of the extracellular matrix in directing lung stem cell behaviour in vivo and ex vivo during regeneration (normal and pathologic)
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Build and validate new models of human lung tissue and chronic lung disease to reduce animal usage and for use as drug discovery and therapeutic screening platforms
Strengths of the group
A translational approach which uses techniques ranging from cell level to in vivo animal models and ex vivo human models. In addition to standard cell and molecular biology techniques, we have established the following techniques:
- The bioengineering arm of my lab has established techniques for whole organ perfusion decellularization, physiologic recellularization in 2 and 3-dimensions, and ex vivo bioreactor culture (including whole native organs). We have developed bioinks from biologic and engineered materials for 3D printing of lung tissue. In this regard, we have also developed the accompanying expertise to characterize bioinks with regards to their rheological and 3D bioprinting properties.
- The lab also studies repair and regeneration and has established expertise in precision cut tissue slices, organoid culture of primary stem and progenitor cells, and mechanotransduction (stretch and stiffness studies).
- We have experience in chronic lung disease murine models of fibrosis (bleomycin) and emphysema (elastase induced), as well as measuring lung mechanics using the Flexivent.
- The lab also utilizes bioinformatics applied towards understanding chronic lung diseases.
Impact
Generating new lung tissue for transplantation could help to overcome the shortages in donor tissue available for patients with end stage lung disease and could further improve long-term survival if stem cells from the eventual transplant recipient are used.
New models of chronic lung diseases from human-derived sources could help accelerate drug discovery and identify drugs which are the most promising for translation into the clinic.
Affiliations
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine
- Lund Stem Cell Center
- Lund University Cancer Center
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