Focus of Research

The El Agha lab focuses on applying developmental paradigms to understand normal lung homeostasis and regeneration, particularly in regard to lung remodeling and reverse remodeling in response to pathogen-induced lung injury and repair. The scientific investigations involve the use of basic and translational approaches to interrogate key signaling pathways, growth factors and other signaling mediators that are also important for normal lung development.

Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions graphic

For more details, please refer to the following page:

Prof. Elie El Agha, PhD
Prof. Elie El Agha, PhD

Lab Members

PostDocs

Vahid Kheirollahi, PhD
Vahid Kheirollahi, PhD
Project description: In this project, we are focusing on how the mesenchymal compartment is mobilized after Influenza A virus-induced lung injury. Of interest is understanding the mesenchymal-immune axis and deciphering cell-cell communication in the subsequent damage repair process.
Ali Khadim, Ph.D.
Ali Khadim, Ph.D.
Project description: This project aims to study mesenchymal lineage formation throughout the life span of the mammalian lung and the involvement of developmental mechanisms in lung homeostasis, repair and regeneration.

Ph.D. candidates

Sukanya Bhat, M.Sc.
Sukanya Bhat, M.Sc.
Project description: We aim to deconvolute, spatially map, and characterize our recently identified “Repair-Supportive Mesenchymal Cells” (RSMCs) emerging in response to naphthalene-induced airway injury and regeneration.

Technical Assistant

Hannah Hofmann, M.Sc.
Hannah Hofmann, M.Sc.

M.D. Student

Jan Halweg

Project Coordinator

Sezin Czarnecki, Ph.D.
Sezin Czarnecki, Ph.D.

Alumni

Felix Schwind, M.D.
Alena Moiseenko, Ph.D.
Xuran Chu, Ph.D.
Laith Salama
Tanya Malik, M.Sc.
Hawlader Sabbir Hasan, M.Sc.

Contact information
Elie El Agha, Ph.D.

Professor for Pathogen-Induced Lung Injury and Repair at the Institute for Lung Health (ILH)
Director of the international graduate program Molecular Biology and Medicine of the Lung (MBML)
Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI)
German Center for Lung Research (DZL)
Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC)
Justus-Liebig University Giessen

+49 (0) 641 99 36481
(office)
+49 (0) 641 99 36482
(office)
elie.el-agha@innere.med.uni-giessen.de
Aulweg 132
35392 Giessen
Germany

Featured Publications

See all publications on PubMed:

  • Persistence of alveolar fibroblast-derived ADAMTS4+ cells in a preclinical model of delayed pulmonary fibrosis resolution

    May 8, 2026

    Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common and aggressive form of interstitial lung disease. Despite […]

  • Myofibroblasts emerge during alveolar regeneration following influenza-virus-induced lung injury

    February 25, 2025

    Alveolar regeneration requires the coordinated engagement of epithelial stem cells and mesenchymal niche cells to […]

  • Evidence for a lipofibroblast-to- Cthrc1 + myofibroblast reversible switch during the development and resolution of lung fibrosis in young mice

    October 10, 2024

    Background: Fibrosis is often associated with aberrant repair mechanisms that ultimately lead […]

  • GLI1+ Cells Contribute to Vascular Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension

    April 19, 2024

    Background: The precise origin of newly formed ACTA2+ (alpha smooth muscle actin-positive) […]

  • The lung mesenchyme in development, regeneration, and fibrosis

    July 17, 2023

    Mesenchymal cells are uniquely located at the interface between the epithelial lining and the stroma, […]

  • Identification of a Repair-Supportive Mesenchymal Cell Population during Airway Epithelial Regeneration

    December 22, 2020

    Tissue regeneration requires coordinated and dynamic remodeling of stem and progenitor cells and the surrounding […]

  • Metformin induces lipogenic differentiation in myofibroblasts to reverse lung fibrosis

    July 5, 2019

    Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal disease in which the intricate alveolar network of […]

  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Fibrotic Disease

    August 3, 2017

    Fibrosis is associated with organ failure and high mortality and is commonly characterized by aberrant […]

  • Two-Way Conversion between Lipogenic and Myogenic Fibroblastic Phenotypes Marks the Progression and Resolution of Lung Fibrosis

    April 6, 2017

    Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a form of progressive interstitial lung disease with unknown etiology. […]

  • Fgf10-positive cells represent a progenitor cell population during lung development and postnatally

    December 18, 2013

    The lung mesenchyme consists of a widely heterogeneous population of cells that play crucial roles […]

Funding & Cooperation Partners

El Agha Lab is always open for collaborations with partners from academia, industry, and the public sector. We are interested in translating our research findings into practice and jointly developing innovative solutions. Funding is a crucial part of our work, enabling us to conduct our research at the highest level. Therefore, we appreciate any contribution that supports us in achieving our goals. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

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Universities of Giessen & Marburg Lung Center
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