MBML 2026 Annual Retreat

Lung disease research spans molecular signaling, cellular responses, tissue remodeling, whole-organ physiology, and exposure biology, yet these levels are often studied in isolation, limiting translation to the clinic.

This session will explore how integrating in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo physiology can strengthen the relevance and translational value of lung research models by connecting molecular findings with functional outcomes.

Using examples from preclinical models of fibrosis, COPD, and inhalation toxicology, the presentation will examine strategies for building translatable experimental systems across the research spectrum, from cellular and tissue models to whole-animal physiology and controlled exposure paradigms. Key challenges in model creation, including reproducibility, delivered dose, aerosol deposition, variability between disease models, and standardized exposures, will be discussed alongside approaches for functional phenotyping using both non-invasive and invasive lung function measurements.

The session will also highlight the value of ex vivo and in vitro physiological tools that preserve tissue architecture while enabling controlled experimentation, showcasing applications such as airway contraction analysis, ciliary activity, and dose-response assessment. By integrating perspectives across molecular, physiological, and exposure-driven research, this presentation will demonstrate how a more connected, multiscale approach to lung biology can improve model relevance, complement molecular data with functional insight, and ultimately enhance translation in respiratory research.