Lung Development & Repair Group
Investigating mechanisms of lung tissue regeneration
The “Editor’s Pick 2021: Highlights in Cell Adhesion and Migration” collection by the Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology that includes our article ‘The Planar Polarity Component VANGL2 Is a Key Regulator of Mechanosignaling’ is now available as an e-book!
A comprehensive summary of the findings and impacts of our study by the Frontiers editors can be found on Page 7 in the e-book. To read the full article, go to Page 128-146.
Our recent article ‘The Planar Polarity Component VANGL2 Is a Key Regulator of Mechanosignaling’ published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology has been selected to be featured in the collection “Editor’s Pick 2021: Highlights in Cell Adhesion and Migration”.
This article highlights a previously unknown function of the core planar cell polarity (PCP) protein, VANGL2, in control of mechanosignalling and we propose this underlies the key role of the PCP pathway in tissue morphogenesis and repair.
We employed a combination of live imaging of ex vivo 3D precision-cut lung slices, in vitro 2D cell culture and functional assays to show that disrupted epithelial cell migration in Vangl2Lp (Looptail) mutant mice was caused by underlying aberrant cell mechanics. Our findings were further consolidated by the use of sophisticated elastic micropillar arrays that demonstrated abnormal cellular traction force in epithelial cells from Looptail mutant mice (collaboration with Dr Armando del Río Hernández, ICL Department of Bioengineering).
Click the link below for more details about this study:
The full article can be found here 
:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcell.2020.577201/full
After 4 years in the lab, Róisín is off to begin a new role training to be a Clinical Trials manager at Medpace. Róisín came to the lab as a Master’s student and was subsequently awarded a PhD to study the role of retinoic acid in lung repair. After completing her PhD in early 2021, Róisín stayed on for a year as a post-doc. During her time in the lab Róisín worked to establish a novel model of lung injury and repair (Kim-Mongey et al. 2021 Biomaterials) which she then used to investigate the role of retinoic acid. In addition, Róisín has shown an important role for dietary vitamin A intake on lung function through large-scale population studies (collaboration with Dr Cosetta Minelli).
We wish Róisín every success in her new role!
“I was made to feel a part of the team as I attended weekly laboratory meetings with the group, which enabled me to keep up with and gain an understanding of the current research” – Onyinyechi
“As part of my master’s degree in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Healthcare at Imperial College London, I spent four months with the Dean group. Here I undertook a research project that investigated lung development in mouse models of Down syndrome. I was supervised by Charlotte Dean and Sek Shir Cheong who taught me how to analyse sections of lung histology using the software Fiji, as well as how to use a range of scientific databases for genetic analysis.
The research we carried out was important in adding to the small number of studies that had previously investigated lung development in Down syndrome. In our study, we used a range of mouse models which all had three copies of different portions of chromosome 21. This allowed us to narrow down and identify the region of chromosome 21 that was critical in the development of the abnormalities found in the lung histology of these mouse models and the possible candidate genes causing them.
I was made to feel a part of the team as I attended weekly laboratory meetings with the group, which enabled me to keep up with and gain an understanding of the current research taking place at the lab. Additionally, observing presentations, as well as delivering some myself to the group, helped me to develop my presentation skills and allowed me to progress quicker as I received useful and regular feedback. I had a great time working at the lab, especially as I had not done any work like that before.”
– Onyinyechi
“My time in the Dean lab allowed me to develop a deeper understanding into how ideas are developed in the lab and how much collaboration is involved in research.” – Lauren
“For my master’s thesis I was lucky enough to undertake a 6-month research project with the dean lab. This experience was incredible, for the first time I was truly integrated into a labs’ research. For my project I was able to work with the on the Acid Injury Repair (AIR) model. This novel model uses hydrochloric acid to mimic lung injury and allows for the study of lung repair and regeneration. Working with Rosin Mongey, who established the AIR Model, I tested ways to image dynamic processes happening in the injured tissue.
Throughout my project I learnt new techniques and concepts. Thanks to the great supervision of Rosin and the FILM department, I became confident with microscopy, an area I knew little about. As microscopy is a central technique in biological research, these newly developed skills will help me in future research.
Alongside my lab work, I was invited to attend weekly lab and section meetings. These meetings helped to highlight the collaborative nature of research. In lab meetings I was kept up to date with the labs work and was able to present and receive feedback on my own, whilst in section meetings, I learnt about the research being performed by other groups.
My time in the Dean lab allowed me to develop a deeper understanding into how ideas are developed in the lab and how much collaboration is involved in research. I hope that the skills I have learnt during this project will help me in a future research career.”
– Lauren
Walking through my local shopping centre the other week, I was surprised to see this new store that has just opened (see picture). It’s clear that ‘Regenerative Medicine’ is something the public responds favourably to. As a lab that conducts research aimed at identifying novel regenerative medicine treatments for lung disease, our hope is that funding agencies will be equally responsive to supporting research in this important area.
The ERS has published a new monograph focused on lung stem cells.
This monograph from the European Respiratory Society (ERS) focuses on one of the most exciting areas of respiratory science- stem cells. The book covers the latest research and understanding about mouse and human lung stem cells and how they can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes.
A variety of experts in the field discuss how stem cells can be generated or stimulated from endogenous lung tissue. The book also contains several chapters on modelling lung and stem cell functions including a chapter on our own favourite model- precision-cut lung slices.
https://www.ersbookshop.com/lung-stem-cells-in-development-health-and-disease-669-p.asp
31st March 2021 – Massive congratulations to Róisín on a very successful PhD!
Róisín defended her thesis entitled ‘Investigating the role of vitamin A and retinoic acid signalling in lung homeostasis and repair’ and passed her viva without corrections! This coincided with the UK lockdown restriction easing and we were able to share a toast in a socially distanced manner on the beautiful Queen’s lawn. 
“The conference was a great opportunity to interact with experts in the field and to learn about exciting new developments at the cutting edge of lung regenerative science.” – Róisín
“In March 2021 I won a bursary to attend the 19th European Respiratory Society Lung Science conference and present my work on ‘Investigating the role of vitamin A intake and retinoic acid signalling in lung homeostasis and repair- a multidisciplinary approach’. The presentation summarised key findings from my PhD: using dietary intake and genetic data from the large UK Biobank population to study the association between vitamin A intake, retinoic acid pathway genes and adult lung function in addition to lab-based work using our novel Acid Injury and Repair (AIR) model to study and manipulate RA signalling following lung injury. The presentations involved an online poster as well as 3 minute oral presentation followed by a stimulating discussion session. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was honoured to win the best poster award for my session.
As a recipient of a bursary award, I was also able to take part in the mentorship programme during which I received invaluable advice on my career progression from leaders in the field.
The organisers did an exceptional job putting together the conference programme despite the challenges of an online format. There were many exciting talks from leaders across the field of lung repair and regeneration. Topics covered cellular differentiation and interaction in the alveolar niche, exciting novel scaffolds to replicate and repair the lung and new in vitro and ex vivo models for the study of lung disease and repair to name a few. The conference was a great opportunity to interact with experts in the field and to learn about exciting new developments at the cutting edge of lung regenerative science.”
– Róisín
“With a burning curiosity about medical research, I wanted to carry out a lab experience to explore what this field entails.” – Ambreen
“During the summer of my second year at medical school, I was fortunate enough to spend some time working with the Dean lab, contributing to some work in investigating the role of a particular gene (dishevelled activator of morphogenesis 2 – Daam2) in lung embryogenesis. Working with Charlotte and the team was incredible, as I was able to carry out laboratory procedures we had been taught about in the early years of medical school and see, first-hand, the merits and challenges of a career in academia.
To help support my time with the Dean lab, I applied for an Anatomical Society Undergraduate Summer Scholarship which I successfully received. As part of this award, I presented my work as a poster presentation at the Anatomical Society 2019 Winter meeting – my first conference!
I also presented by work at the British Thoracic Society’s 2020 Winter meeting and was very fortunate to receive the Medical Student Abstract award. This was a phenomenal experience, as despite a virtual conference, I was able to speak with inspirational clinical academics who further inspired me to explore the opportunities that clinical research has to offer.
My experience in the lab was critical in helping me to gain an insight into academia as a career and further fuelled my aspirations to get involved in research. I am currently completing my intercalated BSc at Imperial College London in Cancer Frontiers and look forward to pursuing a career in research alongside my clinical studies.”
– Ambreen