Ruth Franklin, PhD

Research Project:
Revealing Immune Drivers of Lung Fibrosis

Grant Awarded:

Innovation Award

Research Topics:

basic biologic mechanisms
immunology immunotherapy

Research Diseases:

influenza
pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive lung disease marked by irreversible scarring that makes it difficult to breathe and ultimately leads to respiratory failure. This scarring can result from repeated tissue injury and chronic inflammation, but the signals that determine whether the lung heals normally or develops fibrosis remain poorly understood. Our research explores how three key cell types—immune cells, epithelial cells and fibroblasts—communicate during lung injury to shape repair outcomes. By combining viral and chemical injury models, we will determine when immune signals promote regeneration and when they trigger fibrosis. Understanding how these cell interactions control healing will reveal new ways to prevent excessive scarring and restore normal lung function. Our goal is to guide the development of more effective therapies that stop or reverse the progression of pulmonary fibrosis.

Page last updated: September 23, 2026

Ruth Franklin, PhD

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