Basic Science Section - Department of Medicine

The Basic Science Section (BSS) is an interdivisional program in the Department of Medicine that facilitates and promotes basic science discovery at National Jewish Health. The BSS has a faculty whose diverse research interests in respiratory biology include cell signaling, free radical biology, drug development, acquired and innateimmunity, air pollutants, lung toxicants and genetics. These research interests focus on the pathogenesis of a number of lung disorders including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), allergies, asthma, bronchitis, chronic beryllium disease, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lung cancer, pneumoconiosis, pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory infections andsarcoidosis.
 
On June 1, 2010, Dr. Hong Wei Chu became the head of the BSS. As a section we accomplished our 2010 primary goals of regular and informal scientific seminars, and dialogues that were not covered by the Research In Progress seminars. The BSS Seminars had over 20 seminars from National Jewish Health Department of Medicine faculty, 4 University of Colorado Denver faculty, and 5 distinguished outside speakers.
 
Another primary goal we accomplished was to fund junior faculty to learn state-of-the-art research approaches and novel research initiatives, granting 7 junior faculty to enhance their research efforts.
 
In addition to the bi-monthly BSS Seminars, Lydia Orth, assistant to Dr. Hong Wei Chu, compiled and distributed a monthly Office of Research newsletter, a list of nation-wide conference opportunities and outside grant opportunities for faculty members to utilize.
 
For the 2011-2012 season we will offer workshops for research techniques and approaches, continue to invite outside speakers and offer the micro funding opportunity for junior faculty for a second year.

Faculty

The faculty in the Basic Science Section have diverse research interests in respiratory biology.

Research Interests

• Free Radical Biology
• Cell Signaling
• Acquired and Innate Immunity
• Environmental and Occupational Lung Research
• Respiratory Biodefense
• Genetics
• Translational Research

These research interests focus on the pathogenesis of a number of lung disorders, including:

Research Resources

We have several unique research resources to help translate basic science findings to medical advancements in the treatment of lung disease. These resources include:

• novel human lung cell systems;
• genetic animal models of pulmonary disease;
• animal pulmonary physiology;
• animal inhalation exposure systems;
• and active drug development program.