How breathing shapes airway biology and particle deposition

This PhD explores how the differences in mouth and nasal breathing change airway biology and particle deposition using advanced in vitro airway models and aerosol systems, linking respiratory physiology with aerosol science and bioengineering.

The project is part of an Australian Research Council Discovery Project examining how different breathing modes (mouth versus nasal breathing) influence airway surface biology and particle deposition. While nasal breathing naturally humidifies and filters air, mouth breathing exposes the airway epithelium to drier and chemically different environments that may affect barrier integrity, mucus function, and particle transport.

The student will work with advanced 3D-printed airway models, microfluidic epithelial systems, and aerosol deposition platforms to study how humidity, pH, and osmotic pressure alter epithelial permeability and mucus properties....