Innovative 'hammock' platform mimics lung stretching for better cellular studies

This study developed a hammock-shaped cell platform that mimics the stretching forces of the lung. This is important because it allows researchers to characterize cellular mechanisms in a controlled environment, which could lead to new insights into disease and treatments, especially those that affect the stiffness or elasticity of lung tissue. Senior author Claudia Lobel, MD, PhD, was funded by a Lung Association Innovation award for her research in pulmonary fibrosis.