Team Moghaddam

ure but without COPD. Importantly, among smokers with COPD, even following smoke cessation, inflammation persists as does the increased risk of lung cancer. These facts suggest a strong link between COPD-related airway inflammation and lung cancer which is being studied and mechanistically dissected in Moghaddam Laboratory. In brief, we study the role of epithelial innate immune signaling pathways and inflammatory cells recruited by these signals to mechanistically dissect the promoting role of airway inflammation in lung carcinogenesis. Students and fellows working in Team Moghaddam have the opportunity to study lung biology, airway inflammation, molecular aspects of lung cancer, and tumor microenvironment while applying different techniques in related genetically engineered mice. Our research projects, by having the potential to detect and target important microenvironments and pro-carcinogenic pathways in the lungs, would have a major impact on preventing the leading cause of cancer death by providing the basis for rationally directed therapy in patients at high risk for lung cancer development, and patients with early stage tumors.