Over two days, the seminar demonstrated how cross-disciplinary and international collaboration can drive innovation and new therapeutic perspectives. The event was organized by Prof. Mareike Lehmann (Institute of Lung Health and Immunity (LHI) at Helmholtz Munich, Institute for Lung Research, Marburg University and German Center for Lung Research, DZL) and Prof. Suzanne Cloonan (Trinity College, Dublin).
One Key Insight: COPD Starts Early
A key message from the meeting was that COPD begins early in life. Factors such as prematurity and early-life infections can have long-term effects on lung development and function. As Mareike Lehmann emphasized in her opening remarks: “We need to understand these early origins of disease to not only cure but prevent COPD”.
Several talks explored why some individuals can recover from early life injuries and how this “catch-up” process can be decoded at the molecular level. Participants agreed that there is a critical window of opportunity to understand and potentially harness this regenerative capacity for therapy.
Towards Better Markers of Disease Activity
Standard diagnostic metrics such as FEV1 and GOLD stages are not sufficient to fully capture disease activity and progression. Advances in molecular imaging and biomarker discovery are therefore key. Spatial molecular profiling and cell-specific targeting could help determine when and where to intervene.
Prof. Stijn Verleden (Belgium) presented imaging tools to track lung regeneration, while Prof. Daniel Weiss (US) discussed the potential of gene- and cell-based therapies to promote tissue repair.
Breakout sessions focused on translational research tools, including human organoids, lung-on-chip systems incorporating immune cells, and AI-based platforms such as digital twins – all contributing to a deeper understanding of COPD mechanisms and potential treatments.
Patient Perspectives and Recognitions
Patient advocate Michael Drohan shared his personal experience, illustrating the complex nature of COPD and the possibilities for recovery through rehabilitation.
The seminar also recognized outstanding early-career researchers with poster awards:
- Dr. Maria Camila Melo Narvaez (LHI, Helmholtz Munich/Institute for Lung Research, Marburg University)
- Hanne Voet (University Antwerpen, visited with an ERS Fellowship of LHI, Helmholtz Munich)
- Ayu Hitami Syarif (Medical University Graz)
Collaboration as the Key to Progress
The meeting concluded with a clear call for continued international collaboration through networks such as COPD-iNET. As Prof. Önder Yildirim, Director of the Institute of Lung Health and Immunity at Helmholtz Munich, summarized:
“Only together we can prevent and cure COPD. The two days here in Prague once again demonstrated how important this network is in addressing this serious disease.”
About COPD-iNET:
The international network, co-founded by Önder Yildirim, Mareike Lehmann, Thomas Conlon, Theo Kapellos, Roxana Wasnick (all LHI, Helmholtz Munich) and international colleagues, continues to foster collaboration across disciplines and countries. The network’s primary focus is the advancement of translational COPD research by discussing ongoing projects, cutting edge human in vitro models, state-of-the art systems biology approaches and clinical cohorts.
Learn more: copd-inet.com
Learn more:
About the Institute of Lung Health and Immunity at Helmholtz Munich.
To the Lung Information Service at Helmholtz Munich.
