Theo Moraes

Administrative Assistant: michelle.sviajina@sickkids.ca

Research Synopsis

I have a broad interest in pediatric lung disease with a focus on respiratory epithelial cell biology. Many lung diseases directly impact respiratory epithelial function leading to profound illness, often in pediatric age group. By understanding these processes I hope to improve outcomes for these children. My lab currently has a few major areas of interest and has expertise in primary human airway epithelial cell culture at air-liquid interface; a system that we leverage for this work. First, we focus on respiratory viral infections (including RSV, influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2). Second, we have a core focus on Cystic Fibrosis (CF), the most common, fatal genetic disease in North America. Third, we a focus on asthma. Finally, we also study vaping. My wet bench work is complemented by my involvement in the CHILD study, a Canadian pregnancy cohort that follows participants longitudinally from before birth and into adolescence.

The current focus of my lab is on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the most common cause of serious respiratory viral infection in children.  

We currently use a few model systems including a mouse model and a well differentiated human airway epithelial cell culture system.  

Our collaborative work includes testing compounds in a high throughput screen for efficacy against RSV. We also use our primary cell model to understand other important respiratory diseases including Cystic Fibrosis.