Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic pulmonary disorder affecting more than 30% of all very preterm infants that increases the risk for pulmonary and neurologic sequelae persisting into adulthood. While mechanical ventilation (MV) and oxygen therapy offer life saving treatment to this patient population, they mainly contribute to the development of this disease. A profound understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating the characteristically impaired alveolar and vascular development still remains elusive and early markers that allow the prediction of BPD development and the progression of this disease in the preterm infant are urgently needed. The overall aim of the proposed project is to shed light into the molecular mechanisms underlying BPD and to identify biomarkers that allow for the early diagnosis of the disease.
