Stem Cells, Cell Therapies, and Bioengineering in Lung Biology and Lung Diseases

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Project Summary Repair and regeneration of a diseased lung with stem cells or bioengineered tissues are exciting potential therapeutic approaches for a variety of lung diseases and critical illnesses. Over the past decade, increasing evidence in preclinical models suggests that cells which are not normally resident in the lung can be utilized to modulate immune responses after injury, but there have been challenges in translating these promising findings to the clinic. In parallel, there has been a surge in bioengineering studies investigating use of artificial and acellular lung matrices as scaffolds for three-dimensional lung or airway regeneration, with some recent attempts of transplantation in large animal models. The combination of these studies with those utilizing stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cell derivatives, and/or cell therapies is a promising and rapidly developing research area. These studies have been further paralleled by significant increases in understanding the molecular and cellular events by which endogenous lung stem and/or progenitor cells arise and differentiate during lung development and in normal and pathologic repair and remodeling after lung injury. We have held nine previous biennial conferences at the University of Vermont from 2005 through 2021. The previous conferences, and the planned 2023 conference, have filled an important niche in the rapidly moving fields of stem cells, cell therapies, lung biology, and bioengineering. Conducted in the style of the Gordon Conferences, there are no other comparable meetings that allow the depth and breadth of discussion, deliberation, and connection that occurs. Importantly, in addition to participation by leading figures in lung biology and disease, we have regularly attracted prominent (non-lung) stem cell experts to give featured plenary presentations, bringing innovation into the field. This is an important feature of the program and is a continuing mark of the stature and importance of the conference. These conferences have been highly successful and have resulted in a series of guidelines for basic, translational, and clinical research to be utilized by both investigators and funding agencies. As studies on stem cell and cell therapies for lung diseases continues to move at a rapid pace and the field explores how to best translate these approaches, we propose to again convene the relevant investigators as well as representatives from the NHLBI, FDA, and leading non-profit respiratory disease foundations to discuss current issues. As always, junior investigators, trainees, and investigators from underrepresented groups will be prioritized for inclusion in conference organization, oral presentations, chairing activities, discussions, and poster sessions. Trainees will be able to compete for an increased number of travel awards based on blinded review of submitted abstracts. The conference is planned as an in-person event with a hybrid online option to increase participation of underrepresented minorities and overseas students in July 2023 at the University of Vermont. We anticipate that this conference will continue to foster extensive discussion and debate and will significantly guide directions in basic, translational, and clinical research of stem cells, cell therapies, and bioengineering approaches for lung diseases.