Weill Cornell Medical College researchers have uncovered the biochemical signals in mice that trigger generation of new lung alveoli, the numerous, tiny, grape-like sacs within the lung where oxygen exchange takes place.

This could be an important step forward in the quest to “turn on” lung regeneration in humans, which could effectively treat millions of people suffering from respiratory disorders.

Ref.: Bi-Sen Ding et al., Endothelial-Derived Angiocrine Signals Induce and Sustain Regenerative Lung Alveolarization, Cell (2011) [doi:10.1016/j.cell.2011.10.003]