Congenital and acquired lung diseases affect a large number of children and have significant long-term health implications. Cystic fibrosis and congenital diaphragmatic hernia are two of the most common genetic diseases (1 in 3,000 babies) with severe lung phenotypes. Preterm birth occurs in five to 10 per cent of all pregnancies leading to lung issues early on in life such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, asthma, and secondary pulmonary and systemic arterial hypertension. There are no effective treatments and the sequelae of these early lung diseases extend into adulthood.
The overarching goal of the Martin Post Lab research program at the SickKids Research Institute is to understand the key biological and physiological mechanisms that direct lung development and the impact of preterm birth on this process. The long-term objective is to develop new therapeutic strategies, including lung regeneration, and to improve preventive treatments.