Chiang Lab

The Chiang Lab is devoted to the design of tissue-engineered trachea for the management of complex long-segment airway defects. An ideal tracheal graft will allow for the replacement of diseased for absent tissue with a living construct capable of renewal and regeneration.

Despite advances in airway surgery, there are few surgical options for children suffering from long segment tracheal defects. Our goal is to define the mechanisms driving airway regeneration and apply them to the design of tissue engineered tracheal grafts. We are studying a variety of cell types and structures that comprise the trachea: cartilage, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and vascular structures to understand how they function and how they interact with each other.

Our lab is translational, we explore the mechanisms of tracheal regeneration with computational and in vitro models and apply these discoveries to in vivo models with the intent of improving patient outcomes.

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Projects and Publications

Tracheal Tissue Engineering and Composite Tracheal Grafts

We use numerous materials to design tracheal grafts that remain patent and allow for the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of the cell types present in native tissue.

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The “-Omics” Behind Tracheal Reconstruction

Integrative computational analysis being used to dissect cell types and gene expression profiles

Applying integrative computational analyses, we dissect cell types and gene expression profiles involved in the healing process following tracheal replacement.

Effect of Airflow Mechanics on Tracheal Regeneration

Computational modeling being used to study the airway during varying conditions.

We are using computational modeling and analysis to study the airway during varying conditions, and how the epithelium responds to those conditions.

Airway Stem Cell Function and Chronic Pediatric Lung Disease

In vitro study of cells for chronic airway disease

Our lab maintains a biorepository of basal epithelial cells. In vitro study of these cells can enhance options for tracheal restoration, graft design, and modeling of chronic airway disease.

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Biobanked Tracheal Basal Cells Retain the Capacity to Differentiate

Re-vascularization of Tracheal Tissue

Whole mount method being used to examine vascular development following impant.

Graft success is dependent on adequate re-vascularization of the tissue following transplant. We are using whole mount methods to examine vascular development following implant.

Featured Researcher: April 2021

Dr. Tendy Chiang was selected as the Abigail Wexner Research Institute featured researcher. Learn more about Dr. Chiang and his work in the Center for Regenerative Medicine.

Meet Our Team

Doctor Profile

Tendy Chiang, MD
Principal Investigator
Tendy.Chiang@NationwideChildrens.org

Tendy Chiang, MD, is a Pediatric Otolaryngologist in the Department of Otolaryngology and Associate Program Director of the Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and a Principal Investigator in the Center for Tissue Engineering and Surgical Research at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s.

Prior to joining Nationwide Children’s, Dr. Chiang was a pediatric otolaryngologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Dr. Chiang completed his medical degree and his residency in otolaryngology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. After completion of his fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology, he joined the faculty at Children’s Hospital Colorado prior to returning to Columbus. Dr. Chiang’s clinical interests primarily focus around aerodigestive disorders, pediatric head & neck masses, cleft and craniofacial conditions and pediatric sleep disorders. His research interests is directed toward the rational design of tissue-engineered constructs for airway replacement.

View Dr. Chiang's Publications

Kim Schontz