PhysioLens: a novel technology to standardize and democratize respiratory research on lung tissue

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Since the lung is the organ most affected by COVID-19, an increasing number of scientists across the world, with or without specialized knowledge in pulmonology, are searching for means to study the lung tissue using an efficient, biologically-relevant and cost-effective approach. Although this represents a huge engineering challenge, SCIREQ, a Canadian company specialized in respiratory equipment, is rising to the challenge. It is fabricating a new technology, called the physioLens, that is now in the final stages of development and that will enable any scientist to readily undertake experimental studies on isolated lung tissue. SCIREQ is now working with the team of Dr Ynuk Bossé, professor at Laval University and experts in lung physiology, to: 1- optimize, standardize and automate the procedures; 2- undertake validation studies to confirm the usefulness of the technology; and 3- develop new systems to increase the physioLens' versatility and applicability.While enabling the final adjustments before commercialization, this project will also extend the physioLens' capabilities with highly sought-after features that can turn out to be real game changers in respiratory research. This new technology will offer an unprecedented means to study lung tissue in an accurate and reproducible fashion, expediting progress and allowing comparisons between results obtained in different laboratories.In the short term, the physioLens is essential for any scientist seeking a validated and accessible means to study lung tissue. In the long term, it may enable breakthroughs with significant impacts, including the potential to improve patients' care and save lives by accelerating research and drug discovery on COVID-19. Additionally, it will promote a Canadian company, strengthen the link between the academic and private sectors, train highly qualified personnel, keep Canadian lung physiologists at the leading-edge of their field, and contribute to Canada's economic recovery from the pandemic.