Isaac Kirubakaran Sundar, Ph.D.

Cigarette smoke is the major risk factor for the development of chronic lung disease. Chronic inflammation, DNA damage and premature lung aging are some of the key contributing factors in the development of smoking-related lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. Our study will examine how cigarette smoke causes DNA damage that contributes to the premature aging of the lung in cell cultures and animal models. We hope our results will assist in the identification of novel therapeutic targets in reducing premature lung aging in chronic lung diseases.