Flexible bronchoscopy in molecular biology.
Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy has allowed researchers to use the bench to bedside approach in the study and therapy of lung diseases. Through bronchoscopy, the lung is a relatively convenient source of samples for the direct evaluation of human gene expression and function. Sampling of respiratory epithelium is performed by brushing with a cytology brush, whereas the epithelial lining fluid and the inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar space are obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage. Furthermore, bronchoscopy has been a cornerstone essential to gene therapy trials for lung disease.
Eissa
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Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Section, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. teissa@bcm.tmc.edu
Erzurum
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D001999:Bronchoscopy; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000628:therapy; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D008967:Molecular Biology; D013048:Specimen Handling