The Lab

THEMES

Theme 1:

Determining the role of epithelial-fibroblast-immune cell-extracellular matrix crosstalk in health, inflammatory, and fibrotic lung disease mechanisms

We develop 3D biomimetic lung models (e.g., pulmonary vascularized bioprinted constructs, airway epithelial air–liquid interface cultures, 3D epithelial–fibroblast and immune–fibroblast co-cultures, and fibroblast-seeded collagen gels) to investigate how interactions between epithelial, immune, and stromal cells govern tissue repair, inflammation, and fibrotic remodeling. We focus on cytokine and growth-factor signaling (IL‑1α, IL-6, IL-8, TGF-β), miRNA-mediated epigenetic regulation, and mechanical cues that affect cell crosstalk. These aim to elucidate mechanisms underlying pathogenesis and tissue remodeling in COPD, asthma, and related lung diseases.

Selected Refs - PMID: 27418555 PMID: 28546273 PMID: 32457454

Theme 2:

Assessing the effect of the mechanodynamic microenvironment of the breathing lung on cell-ECM and multicellular interactions in health and disease

We develop mechanodynamic 2D and 3D cell-embedded collagen and hydrogel-embedded organoid models housed in mechanical bioreactors (e.g., Flexcell) to apply physiological and pathological strains mimicking the breathing environment. Using these systems, we show that pulmonary structural cells, particularly fibroblasts, undergo phenotype changes when subjected to 3D mechanical strain. We established a multicellular alveolar mechanical model to evaluate how cyclic stretch alters intercellular communication and multicellular responses.

Selected Refs - PMID: 35053300 PMID: 39068387

Theme 3:

Investigating the mechanisms of multi-organ crosstalk using biomimetic microphysiological systems

We utilize commercially available (e.g., TissUse) and in-house multi-organ-on-chip systems to establish multi-organ models. The current investigation is using this platform to develop gut-lung axis models to assess the mechanisms of interaction between the microbiome and other factors of the two organs.

Selected Refs - PMID: 34440917, 40726012

Theme 4:

Utilizing ex vivo models to link biomimetic model research findings to humans

This theme closely links with the three other themes in the lab. Here, we correlate mechanistic findings from our artificial tissue models with patient-derived lung tissues to confirm and improve the translation of our findings and influence real-world disease management.

Selected Refs - PMID: 32679790 PMID: 30950644

Emmanuel Osei_ATS Poster 2018 [Autosaved] (1).bmp

Theme 5:

BREATHE-OK: The Biobank for Respiratory Health in the Okanagan

The first region-specific lung biobank in Interior British Columbia & Okanagan, created to assess and study how wildfire smoke and environmental exposures influence lung disease, recovery, and resilience

We are spear-heading the creation of the first regional lung cell repository in the Okanagan, BREATHE-OK, which is a comprehensive lung health biobank that collects and securely stores human biological samples, including airway cells, blood, and lung tissue, alongside detailed clinical and environmental information. BREATHE-OK will extend beyond sample storage by generating advanced experimental systems derived from donor samples such as (i) 3D lung organoids (“mini-lungs”) (ii) Multicellular lung models and enable (iii) Genomic and molecular profiles linked to clinical outcomes to aid (iv) therapeutic and biomarker studies.

Theme 6:

Extending discovery via the applying and innovating Biomimetic models through cross-disciplinary collaboration

6A. In UBCO's Immunobiology Excellence Cluster, we are funded by the Eminence Program to develop advanced 3D models to assess the role of lung macrophage- cellular and ECM interactions in driving fibrotic lung diseases. The team includes Drs. Li, Menard, Hughes, Frattolin, & Piantanida.

6B. We collaborate with Dr. M. Rheault’s lab to establish novel cell culture systems of invertebrates (e.g., insect epithelium from Trichoplusia ni) and physiologically compare their chemical transport to previous tissue-related findings.

Rheault Lab - Insect Molecular Physiology - Welcome

6C. We collaborate with the lab Dr. Christina Haston to identify biomarkers and candidate genes both in mice models and clinical samples with the hope of applying this in biomimetic models to predict radiation induced lung disease

6D. We collaborate with the APRICELL BIOTECHNOLOGY, applying in applying their novel their TruSphere™ Insert that allows for the rapid and uniform culturing of spheroids and organoids to assess cancer and lung disease mechanisms