Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

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Lung disease

Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are investigating promising new approaches to prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases that affect the lungs. Our work spans the full spectrum of research from basic science to clinical research to knowledge translation. Learn more below.

Research News

	Could a preemie’s umbilical cord help repair their lungs? February 11, 2025 - “Our results suggest we could one day test whether cells from a preemie’s umbilical cord might prevent them from developing a chronic lung disease.”
	$2.8M grant to support Canada-wide trial of cell therapy for preterm babies September 16, 2024 - “This trial could change the way we care for premature babies. It’s my hope that these tiny patients will have a better chance to thrive, grow up, and have an impact on the world around them."
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded three grants for high risk, high reward and interdisciplinary research June 18, 2024 - The New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) 2023 Exploration competition has awarded $33 million to support 133 research teams across Canada that bring diverse disciplines together in pursuit of breakthrough ideas and high-reward outcomes.
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	World-first trial shows benefits of finding, treating undiagnosed asthma and COPD May 19, 2024 - "It's estimated that 70 per cent of people with asthma or COPD go undiagnosed. This is the first study to prove that treating those people makes a real difference to their health and quality of life."
	Two decades in the making — world-first trial aims to heal the lungs of preemies May 1, 2024 - Emmy Cogan entered this world weighing barely more than a pound. This tiny warrior made history by becoming the first baby in North America to receive a world-first cell therapy trial to heal the lungs of preterm babies
	Which cells have the greatest potential to repair the lungs of pre-term babies? April 23, 2024 - Dr. Bernard Thébaud and his team have uncovered which types of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are the best at healing lung injury in the lab.
	Are EVs travelling to injured lungs? March 15, 2024 - Tiny particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown clear potential to treat several lung diseases in animal models by reducing inflammation. However, there has been debate about where MSC-EVs end u
	ELEVATE seed grants to help researchers at The Ottawa Hospital improve treatment for inflammatory and immune conditions February 21, 2024 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Research Institute is awarding four ELEVATE seed grants to help researchers understand the role of inflammation and the immune system in various diseases and develop better treatments.
	Tiny trailblazer: First baby treated in world-first trial for chronic lung disease January 19, 2024 - Emmy Cogan was the first baby treated in a world-first clinical trial of a cell therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
	Undiagnosed asthma and COPD a burden for patients, even in early stages December 6, 2023 - Adults with undiagnosed COPD or asthma have worse quality of life, greater healthcare use and are less productive at work than healthy adults.
	Powering up the body’s EVs November 9, 2023 - Dr. Alvin Tieu is receiving the Worton Researcher in Training Award from The Ottawa Hospital for his multidisciplinary research on life-threatening lung diseases
	“Super-collaborator” helps patients breathe easier November 9, 2023 - Dr. Shawn Aaron is receiving The Ottawa Hospital’s Grimes Career Achievement Award for practice-changing research in COPD and other chronic lung diseases
	Tiny Cells for Tiny Lungs September 28, 2023 - “Stem cells used to be something that were grown in a petri dish. They are now game-changing therapies with live-saving potential for even the tiniest of patients.”
	Engineered lung tissue model reveals possible new treatment for lymphangioleiomyomatosis July 12, 2023 - A research team led by Dr. Bill Stanford has discovered a new class of drugs that may be effective in treating lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). This rare disease is characterized by abnormal cell growth in the lungs which can lead to severe breathing
	Novel stem cell drives ‘remarkable’ regeneration of tiny blood vessels in the lung May 15, 2023 - Dr. Duncan Stewart’s team has identified a novel stem cell with a remarkable ability to regenerate and repair the tiny blood vessels in the lungs.
	First patient treated in world-first cell therapy trial to heal the lungs of preterm babies March 23, 2023 - Researchers have treated the first patient in an innovative clinical trial of a cell therapy that aims to prevent very premature babies from developing a chronic lung disease called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This is the first trial of its kin
	Study could lead to new treatments for pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure February 28, 2023 - The human heart has a remarkable ability to adapt and compensate in the face of injury and disease, but unfortunately this isn’t universal.
	How a chronic lung disease in preterm babies also affects the brain February 16, 2023 - Dr. Bernard Thébaud and his team have uncovered clues as to why premature babies with the chronic lung disease bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) may have problems thinking, learning and remembering.
	Spirometry can’t catch all asthma diagnoses January 4, 2023 - A study led by Dr. Shawn Aaron suggests that asthma and eosinophilic bronchitis may be undiagnosed in a significant number of people who have symptoms, but have normal spirometry lung function tests.
	Cannabis smokers show higher rates of emphysema, airway diseases than cigarette smokers November 15, 2022 - The findings, published in Radiology, examined the chest CTs of 56 cannabis smokers, 57 non-smokers and 33 tobacco-only smokers between 2005 and 2020.
	Huge hope for our smallest patients November 2, 2022 - Dr. Bernard Thébaud clearly remembers the day he decided to become a doctor—his dad had suggested the soccer-loving teen become a sports physician. But from the first day of his pediatric surgery rotation, Dr. Thébaud knew he wanted to help
	Soccer skills and stem cell science- Meet Dr. Bernard Thébaud September 14, 2022 - Every day, Dr. Bernard Thébaud creates futures for Ottawa’s youngest community members. As a senior scientist with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and as a neonatologist with the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Dr. Thé
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 19 CIHR grants worth more than $12 million July 20, 2022 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, autism, Kabuki Syndrome, kidney disease, patient engagement, blood transfusions, sepsis, surgery, anesthesia, plasma donation, muscle
	Questionnaire can find people with undiagnosed asthma, COPD June 2, 2022 - A team led by Dr. Shawn Aaron developed and validated a tool published in the European Respiratory Journal that can detect undiagnosed asthma and COPD in adults with symptoms.
	Nano therapy for micro-preemies protects lungs, brain in lab study March 30, 2022 - Very premature babies need extra oxygen and mechanical intervention to breathe, but this damages their lungs, causing a chronic lung disease called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
	Research sets new standard for treating latent tuberculosis in Canada March 24, 2022 - A transformational treatment for latent tuberculosis (TB) is now the standard of care in Canada, thanks to research led by The Ottawa Hospital. The Canadian Thoracic Society’s new Canadian TB Standards, released on March 24, 2022, recommend 3HP (rifa
	Tiny particles hold promise for treating acute and chronic lung disease February 17, 2022 - A meta-analysis of lab studies found that tiny particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have clear potential for treating acute lung injury,
	Help us advance Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine research in older adults. October 6, 2021 - The Ottawa Hospital is participating in an RSV vaccine research trial and is looking for volunteers aged 60 years and older.
	Some inhaled corticosteroids for asthma, COPD safer and more effective for older adults September 29, 2021 - Study reveals important new information for physicians who prescribe inhaled corticosteroids to older patients, a common daily treatment for asthma and COPD
	Experimental stem cell therapy a potential weapon against COVID-19 February 1, 2021 - Drs. Duncan Stewart, Shane English, Dean Fergusson and colleagues have launched a clinical trial to test MSCs in people with severe COVID-19.
	Gene therapy for deadly newborn lung disease shows promise in mice October 26, 2020 - One in a million babies are born with Surfactant Protein B deficiency, a genetic disorder in the lungs that will kill them before their first birthday. The only cure is a lung transplant.
	Innovative clinical trial design breathes life into potential cell therapy for lung disease in preterm babies July 10, 2020 - When it comes to developing medical treatments, it is a long, challenging and expensive road from the research lab to the clinic.Most Canadians give little thought to what goes into the healthcare we receive – we’re happy to get good care when and wh
	Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for COVID pneumonia June 26, 2020 - Astudy led by Dr. Sylvain Boet will test if hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be able to help some people with COVID-19 pneumonia.
	Stem cells may heal lungs of premature babies March 4, 2020 - Premature babies need extra oxygen and mechanical intervention to breathe but this can damage their lungs, causing a chronic lung disease. A stem cell treatment soon to be tested in clinical trials at The Ottawa Hospital may help heal the lungs of pr
	Could umbilical cord cell therapy help premature babies? Dr. Bernard Thébaud awarded $638,000 from Stem Cell Network for clinical trial March 2, 2020 - Dr. Bernard Thébaud and colleagues received $638,000 from the Stem Cell Network with in-kind matching funds from MDTB Cells GmbH to conduct a phase 1 clinical trial of umbilical cord cell therapy for premature babies.
	3D gel helps researchers find potential drugs for lung cancer, other diseases March 15, 2019 - Researchers in Ottawa and Toronto have created a spongy 3D gel that mimics lung tissue, allowing them to quickly screen hundreds of potential drugs for lung cancer and other diseases.
	Flu vaccination keeps people with COPD out of the hospital January 30, 2019 - A study led by Dr. Sunita Mulpuru found that the flu vaccine was associated with a 38 percent reduction in flu-related hospitalizations among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The researchers looked at the records of 4755 Cana
	Decision tool identifies which patients with COPD are at risk of death, serious complications December 3, 2018 - A made-in-Ottawa decision tool can help emergency physicians identify which patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are at high risk of serious complications including death. The Ottawa COPD Risk Scale is better than current practice at p
	$870,000 to help develop stem cell treatments for septic shock, glaucoma, lung injury and muscle degeneration May 9, 2018 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the University of Ottawa are bringing discoveries made in the lab closer to human trials and therapies, thanks to five new peer-reviewed research grants from the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medi
	New research could explain why cells grow out of control in rare lung disease May 9, 2018 - When cells grow out of control in the body, most people think of cancer, but this phenomenon also occurs in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare and deadly disease characterized by very high pressure in the arteries that supply blood to th
	Experimental stem cell therapy tested for rare lung disease April 30, 2018 - A Canadian-led research team has launched a clinical trial of an experimental stem cell therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension. This rare and deadly disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the lungs become so damaged that blood can
	Could stem cells repair the heart, fight infections, mend premature lungs, and heal the brain after stroke? April 11, 2018 - Ottawa researchers closer to finding out, thanks to $999,900 from the Stem Cell Network Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the University of Ottawa are bringing discoveries made in the lab closer to human trials and therapies, thanks
	Dr. Glen Goss recognized for lifetime achievement in lung cancer March 29, 2018 - Dr. Glen Goss recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Canadian Lung Cancer Conference in Vancouver. This award recognizes his leadership in improving care for people with lung cancer, both as an oncologist and as a researcher. Dr. G
	Rejuvenating damaged newborn mouse lungs with stem cells February 14, 2018 - Dr. Bernard Thébaud and his team have shown for the first time that differentiated human stem cells can prevent lung damage in lab models of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. BPD is a chronic condition caused by the breathing equipment that keeps prematu
	How a rubber chicken helped create a novel model of a rare lung disease December 12, 2017 - In 2009, Dr. William Stanford received a “laughter basket” including a rubber chicken from a young woman with a rare lung disease. Although he had never heard of her disease, called lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), he was intrigued enough to meet wi
	Dr. Shawn Aaron awarded $4.2 million for research on asthma, COPD October 24, 2017 - Dr. Shawn Aaron has been awarded a prestigious Foundation Grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, worth $4.2 million over seven years. While Dr. Aaron has recently received world-wide attention for his research on asthma over-diagn
	How to trick your heart into thinking you exercise: cardiotrophin improves heart health and repairs damage in lab models August 4, 2017 - Researchers have discovered that a protein called cardiotrophin 1 (CT1) can trick the heart into growing in a healthy way and pumping more blood, just as it does in response to exercise and pregnancy. They show that this good kind of heart growth i
	Researchers get $558K boost from Heart and Stroke Foundation June 15, 2017 - Two scientists from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa were successful in the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s recent grant-in-aid grant competition. Dr. Baptiste Lacoste was awarded $259,000* to test whether drugs that are already used
	Could stem cells fight lung disease in our tiniest patients? June 15, 2017 - Dr. Bernard Thébaud and his team are hoping to harness stem cells from umbilical cords to treat chronic lung diseases in extremely premature babies like Olivia Eberts. “She’s a miracle because she wasn’t expected to survive,” said her mother, Jamie
	Could stem cells heal premature lungs, fight infections, build muscles and strengthen bones? May 25, 2017 - Ottawa researchers closer to finding out, thanks to $1.5 million from the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the University of Ottawa are bringing discoveries made in the lab closer to huma
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded 18 research grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, worth $10.7 million May 19, 2017 - Eighteen research groups at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded nearly $11 million in the most recent project grant competition from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This represents a suc
	Government of Canada Supports Latent Tuberculosis Study March 24, 2017 - Tuberculosis (TB) is preventable and curable, yet it remains one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. In Canada, rates of TB are low; however, there is greater incidence among Canadian Indigenous people and among foreign-born individuals
	Retired nurse breathes easily after study finds she was misdiagnosed with asthma March 23, 2017 - Becky Hollingsworth was one of 613 Canadians who took part in a study that found one third of adults recently diagnosed with asthma do not have it. Thanks to a random phone call, Becky Hollingsworth got to be part of a study that found she did n
	Community researchers examine how to help Ottawa’s most marginalized quit smoking January 26, 2017 - Community researchers like Kelly Florence and Tiffany Rose are collaborating with Dr. Smita Pakhale to find the best ways to help residents of Ottawa’s inner city reduce the amount they smoke or stop smoking altogether. Dr. Smita Pakhale wants
	Study finds 33% of adults recently diagnosed with asthma do not have it January 17, 2017 - A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 33 percent of adults recently diagnosed with asthma by their physicians did not have active asthma. Over 90 percent of these patients were able to stop their as
	$2-million project aims to bring personalized medicine to lung cancer care October 11, 2016 - A team led by Dr. David Stewart, Dr. Bryan Lo, Dr. Pearl Campbell and Craig Ivany has received $2 million from Genome Canada and partners to develop a test that can better deliver personalized care for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. So
	Can pneumonia cause inflammation in the blood vessels? Researchers get $153,000 grant to find out. October 5, 2016 - Drs. Vicente Corrales-Medina and Girish Dwivedi were awarded $153,000 from the Heart and Stroke Foundation to investigate whether pneumonia can cause inflammation in the arteries of older patients. Their team previously found that after patients ov
	Stem cell therapy shows promise in small clinical trial for rare lung disease July 20, 2015 - Canadian researchers have published promising results of the first clinical trial in the world of a genetically-enhanced stem cell therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This rare and deadly disease mainly affects young women, and i
	DNA test slashes wait times for tuberculosis diagnosis in Iqaluit March 23, 2015 - Study results prompt Government of Nunavut to fund TB test's continued use Tuberculosis continues to be a significant public health concern in Canada's North, where testing for TB takes far longer than in the country's major centres. A paper just
	Hospitalized for pneumonia? Your risk of cardiovascular disease is higher: study January 20, 2015 - Ottawa – Your chance of having a heart attack or stroke increases significantly if you have been hospitalized for pneumonia, according to a paper published today in the influential JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). "The main conc

Researchers

Name	Scientific appointment	Diseases, conditions and populations of interest	Research and clinical approaches
Aaron, Shawn MD, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (ICD)	Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Cystic fibrosis, Lung disease, Asthma	Clinical research
Addison, Christina PhD	Senior Scientist (CR)	Bone and joint degeneration, Cancer, Lung cancer, Lung disease, Pancreatic cancer, Prostate cancer, Breast cancer	Basic research, Clinical research, Cohort studies, Disease models, Drug development, Genetics, Imaging, Model organisms, Translational research, Molecular and cellular biology
Alvarez, Gonzalo MD, MPH, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (ICD)	First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Infectious disease, Lung disease, Population health, Tuberculosis	Clinical research, Epidemiology, Public health
Gilbert, Sebastien MD FRCSC	Clinician Investigator (ACR)	Cancer, Gastric cancer, Gastrointestinal disease, Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), Lung cancer, Lung disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Clinical research, Epidemiology, Health technology, Patient safety, Quality Improvement, Surgery
Kendzerska, Tetyana MD, PhD	Associate Scientist (ICD)	Aging, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Heart disease, Lung disease, Population health, Women's health	Biostatistics, Clinical research, Cohort studies, Epidemiology, Health research methods, Health services research, Systematic reviews
Klein, Ran PhD	Clinician Investigator (MIR)	Cancer, Heart disease, Kidney disease, Lung disease, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Biostatistics, Clinical decision rules, Health technology, Imaging
Kwok, Chanel MD, FRCPC	Associate Scientist (ICD)	Lung disease	Epidemiology
Mei, Shirley PhD, MSc	Investigator (RM)	COVID-19, Infectious disease, Influenza, Lung disease, Septic shock	Basic research, Biomarkers, Cell therapy, Critical care, Disease models, Drug development, Epigenetics, Gene therapy, Knowledge translation and implementation research, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research
Pakhale, Smita MD, FRCPC, MSc (Epi & Biostat)	Senior Scientist (ICD)	COVID-19, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Lung disease, Sickle cell anemia	Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Epidemiology, Health economics, Health promotion, Health services research, Patient engagement, Pragmatic trials, Public health, Quality Improvement
Thébaud, Bernard MD, PhD	Senior Scientist (RM)	Lung disease, Newborn and child health	Cell therapy, Extracellular vesicles / exosomes, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research

Related Resources

Research at The Ottawa Hospital on asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension, tuberculosis

The Ottawa Hospital Division of Respirology

Canadian Respiratory Research Network