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.
Projects and Publications
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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Applying integrative computational analyses, we dissect cell types and gene expression profiles involved in the healing process following tracheal replacement.
We are using computational modeling and analysis to study the airway during varying conditions, and how the epithelium responds to those conditions.
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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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
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
Kimberly Shontz
Senior Research Associate & Lab Manager
Kim.Shontz@NationwideChildrens.org
Lumei Liu, PhD
Research Scientist
Lumei.Liu@NationwideChildrens.org
Jazmin Calyeca, PhD
Research Scientist
MariadelJazmin.Calyeca@NationwideChildrens.org
Sayali Dharmadhikari
Research Student
Sayaliravindra.Dharmadhikari@NationwideChildrens.org
Previous MDSR Students
- Cynthia Schwartz
- Lauren Eichaker
- Audrey White
- Matthew Wiet
- Alex Danielson
- Gabrielle Wolter
- Coreena Chan
- Lily Kreber
- Jane Yu
- Sovanarath Pong
- Diana Hallak
High School and Undergraduate Students
- Himani Akula
- Peter Minecci
- Andrew Goins
- Natalie Kelly
- Hassan Syed
- Sarah Sperber
- Amanda Palutsis
- Max Bergman, MD
- Jacqueline Harwood