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Research

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a birth defect that is characterized by the improper closing of the diaphragm during development. This leads to abdominal organs herniating into the chest cavity. CDH is strongly associated with severe conditions such as Pulmonary Hypoplasia and Pulmonary Hypertension. While there are treatment options available, babies affected by CDH face a high chance of mortality or living with long-lasting morbidities. Our goal is to improve diagnostic tactics and treatment options to ultimately improve the lives of affected individuals.

CDH
Therapeutics

What are we doing to improve treatments for CDH and other congenital conditions?

Methods of Prenatal Drug Delivery

  • Transplacental drug delivery with nanoparticles​​

  • Drug delivery with nanoparticles to the fetal lungs

Drug Therapy

  • microRNA-200b rescues lung development in the Nitrofen rat model of CDH

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Khoshgoo, N. et al. Prenatal microRNA miR-200b therapy improves nitrofen-induced pulmonary hypoplasia associated with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Ann. Surg. 269, 979–987 (2019).

How are we developing biomarking tools for CDH diagnosis and prognosis?

Diagnostic

  • Prenatal biomarkers for the early diagnosis of congenital malformations

  • CircRNA prenatal biomarkers

  • Establishing biobanks for congenital research

Prognostic

  • Predicting benefits of therapeutic intervention with prognostic biomarkers

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Wagner, R. et al. Can circular RNAs be used as prenatal biomarkers for congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Eur. Respir. J. 55, 1900514 (2020).

Biomarkers
Research

What have we discovered about the development of CDH, and the best management strategies for patients?

Lung Development

  • MicroRNAs and CircRNAs in lung development and abnormal lung development

  • Role of the immune response in lung development

Clinical

  • Clinical practice guidelines on the diagnosis and management of CDH

  • Management strategies prenatal diagnosis to long-term follow up

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Wagner, R. et al. Can circular RNAs be used as prenatal biomarkers for congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Eur. Respir. J. 55, 1900514 (2020).

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