Dr. Galin's research interest focuses on the role of neutrophils in chronic lung transplantation rejection. Our group has recently described a novel chemotactic product of collagen breakdown, PGP (Pro-Gly-Pro), which has been shown to reside in CF airways and hypothesized to be associated with neurophil influx in CF patients. Since chronic allograft rejection has a strong neutrophil component, this may provide a biomarker for a potent collagen-derived chemoattractant, resulting in damage and rejection. We are also very interested in the enzymes associated with the breakdown of collagen that result in PGP production. These include, but are not limited, to MMP-9 and prolyl endopeptidase.