Research Mission
Our laboratory includes basic science and translational research with 2 main areas of interest:
- understanding nasal epithelium in health and disease, and
- promoting upper airway mucosal regeneration in response to injury from surgery, chemicals, and toxins in human and animal model systems.
Out research also includes understanding nasal immune system dysfunctions in patients with chronic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and rhinosinusitis
The ultimate goal of our efforts is to more effectively treat debilitating inflammatory sinus disorders, particularly with regard to empty nose syndrome (ENS) and to create functional respiratory mucosal issue grafts/lining material to address upper (nasal) and lower (pulmonary) airway diseases
Nayak Research Lab, 2019
CIRM Award
In 2017, we received a CIRM award as part of a Stanford collaborative cystic fibrosis gene editing group with $2.2 million to advance the use of CRISPR technology to perform genome correction of the CFTR chloride transport mutations in airway stem cells.
Our Funding and Support
CA Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) 2017-2019 Co-I with Drs. Matthew Porteus, Calvin Kuo, Tushar Desai
Philanthropic Support: Anonymous Donor Support
NIH/Cooperative Centers for Translational Research on Human Immunology and Biodefense (CCHI)
CCHI – “Influenza virus tropism for human nasal epithelial basal cells of the upper airway.”
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