Rodney C. Gilmore

The paper identifies region-specific molecular regulatory programs in human distal airways that maintain epithelial identity and mucus homeostasis, revealing mechanisms for mucociliary defense.

This study develops methods to culture human and animal airway explants for at least 14 days, preserving tissue architecture and enabling study of health, disease, and viral infection.

The paper uses CRISPR screens to identify mucins as key host factors that restrict SARS-CoV-2 infection in human lung cells.