Direnzo Lab
Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Direnzo
Institution: Stanford University (Stanford, CA)
Primary Subfield: Neuroscience
Recruitment Status: Inquire for rotation/fellowship opportunities
Research Focus
ABSTRACT The larynx requires protection from the ~25 million inhaled insults encountered daily during fulfillment of its normal functions including breathing, coughing, swallowing, and in humans, voice production. An epithelium forms a critical first protective barrier on the surface of the larynx. Under normal conditions, the epithelium relies on homeostatic regenerative mechanisms. The basal cell (BC) layer of the epithelium is believed to represent a reservoir of progenitor cells for the formation and regeneration of differentiated epithelium. However, pathological changes, or remodeling, occurs in the composition and organization of the laryngeal epithelium in response to inhaled insults, notably cigarette smoke (CS). Remodeling affects the ability of the epithelium to function as an effective barrier and predisposes the tissue to disease development. Despite the prevalence and likely importance of epithelial remodeling in CS-induced laryngeal disease, its etiology is poorly understood. This is due to a lack of basic knowledge of the mechanisms which dictate laryngeal epithelial homeostatic regeneration and permanent tissue remodeling linked to CS. Specifically, little is known…
Active NIH Awards
- 5R01DC020176-05: Evaluating the role of epithelial basal cells in laryngeal homeostasis and disease development (2026)
- 5R01DC020176-04: Evaluating the role of epithelial basal cells in laryngeal homeostasis and disease development (2025)
- 5R01DC020176-03: Evaluating the role of epithelial basal cells in laryngeal homeostasis and disease development (2024)
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