Shrink Wrap

Ella Stasko

Last edited: 06.28.2024

Rat tracheas cultured on transwell plates

A new and exciting project in the Weiss Lab aims to investigate a potential cure for cystic fibrosis (CF). While treatment for patients with CF has dramatically improved in recent years, there is still a significant subpopulation for which these are ineffective. One potential solution comes from an innovative technique referred to as shrink wrap.

For patients with CF, a sample of disease causing, mutated epithelial cells can be removed, corrected and reimplanted using the shrink wrap technique. The new shrink wrap technique allows for cells to ‘slip’ between existing cells and implant. This feat was previously deemed impossible without causing significant damage due to the nature of the epithelium which has been specifically designed to protect the body by keeping foreign cells out.

In the lab, we are working to verify this as a proof of concept by tracking whether shrink wrapped cells can implant within a rat trachea. Stay tuned for more details as this project unfolds!