The human lung is complex. More than 40 different types of cells comprise the human lung, including epithelial cells, nerve cells, hormone-producing cells, interstitial connective cells, blood cells, and more. Together, these cells assemble to form the complex tissue architecture of the lung from blood vessels, to alveolar structures, to the in vivo branching airway. Modeling the complete cellular diversity, dynamic molecular interactions, and structural assembly of the lung in a two-dimensional cell culture plate is simply impossible.
Lung organoids allow researchers to more accurately model the three-dimensional architecture and in vivo physiology of the human lung. Researchers use lung organoids to better understand natural lung development, as well as lung malfunction during respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and COPD. Researchers also use lung organoids to identify the molecular consequences of environmental assaults, such as air pollution or smoking. The lung is intricately involved in the disease symptoms ...
