What is this talk about?

Diagnosing PCD relies on taking a ciliated cell biopsy from the airway epithelium that invariably is damaged by infection or inflammation. As a result, the cilia in the biopsy show features of secondary damage and their normal structure and function can be perturbed, making PCD diagnosis difficult. By eliminating infectious agents, isolating, propagating and differentiating the basal progenitor cells in-vitro, the secondary damage can be removed from the ciliated cells. This technique essentially cleanses the original biopsy. The primary air-liquid interface cell culture technique has been used to aid the diagnosis of PCD since 2007. Since then, many studies have investigated ways to improve the speed and extent of the ciliogenesis program in the cell cultures. The air-liquid interface technique, its development, advantages and pitfalls will be discussed.

About Dr Robert A. Hirst PhD:

Principal Scientist at the Centre for PCD diagnosis and research at the University of Leicester, UK. First to prove that the air-liquid interface cell culture technique can help with PCD diagnosis and has taught the technique to many centres worldwide. Has a degree in Applied Biochemistry (Liverpool) and a doctorate in Neuropharmacology (Leicester) and has been researching motile cilia for the past 25 years. Publications include over 90 peer-reviewed research papers, many in top tier scientific journals.

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