Dr. Elizabeth F. Redente, PhD is a Professor at National Jewish Health. She received her PhD in Molecular Toxicology from the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy. Her research interests have spanned lung cancer and tumor associated macrophage programming to understanding their role in lung injury and fibrosis. Her current work focuses on the role of fibroblasts in persistent progressive pulmonary fibrosis with an emphasis on understanding disease resolution. She currently holds joint appointments in the School of Pharmacy and in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine in the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado.
She is currently serving as the Research Science Leader through the Office of Innovation. Dr. Redente is also actively involved in the American Thoracic Society and is currently serving as Chair of the Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology Assembly.
The Redente laboratory focuses on the development and resolution of pulmonary fibrosis. We use cutting edge genetic mouse models and clinical samples to answer our questions. Right now are focused on: 1) Fibroblast persistence and the role Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 family members play in mediating the persistence of pro-fibrotic fibroblasts with the ultimate goal of translating our research into viable therapeutics for people suffering with pulmonary fibrosis. 2) The role of collagen degradation during fibrosis resolution through the matrix metalloproteinase MMP-9. 3) The role of macrophage lipid mishandling as an initiator of lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis and 4) In collaboration with investigators at National Jewish and the University of Colorado we are investigating the role of Muc5B mis-expression and how this leads to altered epithelial cell and fibroblast communication to drive pulmonary fibrosis.
I believe that it is of the utmost importance to help teach and train the next generation of scientists and clinicians. We are always looking for interested and talented summer students, graduate students, pulmonary fellows and post-doctoral fellows to join our research team!
We seek to complete this research in an inclusive, supportive and positive work and training environment. Fantastic science is our goal and we can get there through collaboration and thinking outside the box!
Lab Resources and Services
Dr. Redente’s laboratory is located in Smith building on National Jewish Health’s campus and offers several unique research methods and animal models for pulmonary basic science and translational research.
Current research projects and grant support
Elizabeth F. Redente, PhD