The Lung Repair and Regeneration Research Unit was closed by December 31, 2021.

It was part of the Comprehensive Pneumology Center (CPC), which is a joint undertaking of the Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich with its University Hospital, and the Asklepios Specialist Clinics Munich-Gauting. The LRR Research Unit explored the development and progression of chronic lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We investigated the relevance of environmental exposures including virus infections to the lung and how lung injury and repair processes are mediated in order to allow the discovery of new therapeutic targets and approaches. A large part of our program focuses on novel pathways and signal molecules that contributed to the initiation of lung regeneration to restore lung function. The unit was further engaged in the development of new methodologies and tools to reduce animal-based research and closed the gap between pre-clinical research and its application on patients.