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Computational, Ex Vivo, and Tissue Engineering Techniques for Modeling Large Airways

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Engineering Translational Models of Lung Homeostasis and Disease

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 1413))

Abstract

The large airways are a critical component of the respiratory tree serving both an immunoprotective role and a physiological role for ventilation. The physiological role of the large airways is to move a large amount of air to and from the gas exchange surfaces of the alveoli. This air becomes divided along the respiratory tree as it moves from the large airways to smaller airways, bronchioles, and alveoli. The large airways are incredibly important from an immunoprotective role as the large airways are an early line of defense against inhaled particles, bacteria, and viruses. The key immunoprotective feature of the large airways is mucus production and mucociliary clearance mechanism. Each of these key features of the lung is important from both a basic physiology perspective and an engineering perspective for regenerative medicine. In this chapter, we will cover the large airways from an engineering perspective to highlight existing models of the large airways as well as future directions for modeling and repair.

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  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

    Rebecca L. Heise

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  1. University of Colorado, Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA

    Chelsea M. Magin

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Heise, R.L. (2023). Computational, Ex Vivo, and Tissue Engineering Techniques for Modeling Large Airways. In: Magin, C.M. (eds) Engineering Translational Models of Lung Homeostasis and Disease. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 1413. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-26625-6_6

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