Academic Interests

Dr. Rajagopal’s research focuses on understanding the basic mechanisms. lung developmental biology, stem cell biology, and Regenerative Medicine. We focus on the role of developmental regulator such as the Notch pathway in airway injury and regeneration. In the area of stem cell biology we have made a number of fundamental conceptual advances: (1) mature cells can dedifferentiate into stem cells after injury, (2) that the Yap growth control pathway is essential for the identity and maintenance of adult airway stem cells, (3) that seemingly homogenous airway stem cells are comprised of several unique and functional subpopulations, (4) that stem cells can serves as niches for differentiated cells turning the niche paradigm on its head, and (5) that stem cells send forward signals to other cells in a tissue to orchestrate the regenerative process. These inquiries into the molecular mechanisms underlying adult lung epithelial regeneration and lung development will serve as a framework within which we seek to understand how the reactivation and distortion of normal developmental processes results in human lung diseases. Given that Notch is a major research focus and is involved in mucous metaplasia, a cardinal feature of COPD, asthma, and cystic fibrosis, we would eventually like to collaborate to apply developmental biological approaches to these airway diseases.