Center for Respiratory Biology and Therapeutics

Improving Care for Children With Respiratory Diseases

Researchers in the Center for Respiratory Biology and Therapeutics are global leaders in creating innovative therapies. By bringing together scientific research teams across disciplines, we drive discoveries and develop novel respiratory therapies. Through our work, we transform pediatric respiratory disease treatment and improve care for children.

We are the home of the national coordinating center for the largest cystic fibrosis clinical trials network in the world — the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutic Development Network. Because of this partnership, new therapies tested at Seattle Children’s have transformed the lives of patients with cystic fibrosis across the globe. These therapies include cell- and gene-based approaches.

Bench to Bedside and Back Again With Our Team of Physician-Scientists

Most of our faculty are physician-scientists with a clinical footprint in the areas of pulmonology, otolaryngology, critical care, neonatology, respiratory therapy or pathology. Many of our members see patients through Seattle Children’s Airway and Esophageal Center, which is the only center in the Pacific Northwest that provides care for patients with complex conditions affecting their airway and esophagus.

The Center for Respiratory Biology and Therapeutics provides the space, capabilities and resources for our researchers to lead basic, translational, clinical, epidemiologic and global health research. Our work enables us to advance discoveries and develop, test and implement new respiratory therapies for a wide array of pediatric respiratory diseases.

Next-Phase Respiratory Therapies Powered by Research

Through our research, we bring next-phase therapeutics and treatments to children who need them. The innovative methods and tools developed in our center power our high-quality research. These technologies have led to many industry partnerships.

For example, our world-renowned respiratory tract modeling approaches and methodologies can be used in a wide range of disciplines, including:

Advanced imaging
Cellular/molecular biology
Drug delivery approaches
Epigenetics
Gene editing/cell-based therapy
Genomics
Microbiome
Pathology
Physiology
Proteomics

The DiBlasi Lab at our center has partnered with industry sponsors, including the Gates Foundation, to develop and evaluate inhaled therapies and life-support systems for children using 3D-printed airway and lung models.

In addition, we leverage cutting-edge organotypic ex vivo model systems using our unique primary bronchial epithelial cell repository — the largest in North America. These cells are developed from carefully characterized and genotyped children with and without asthma. The Debley Lab uses the cells to develop advanced models of pediatric asthma, which can be used to identify novel therapeutic targets and screen potential respiratory therapies.

The center aims to foster a collaborative environment where clinicians and basic scientists from a vast array of disciplines ... can work in close partnership, facilitating the rapid translation of research discoveries into tangible healthcare improvements.
— Jason Debley, MD, MPH, director of the Center for Respiratory Biology and Therapeutics

Our Labs and Research Programs

Featured Research

With more than 50 faculty members, 10 bench labs and 7 clinical research programs, we work relentlessly to find the next scientific discovery in pediatric respiratory diseases.

Our researchers develop and implement new respiratory therapies across a range of research focus areas, including:

Acute and chronic respiratory failure
Asthma
Chronic lung disease of prematurity
Congenital and acquired structural airway and lung diseases
Cystic fibrosis

Interstitial lung disease
Novel respiratory support technologies
Novel technologies to deliver inhaled medications
Primary ciliary dyskinesia

Pulmonary hypertension
Respiratory global health research
Respiratory quality improvement research
Sleep disordered breathing

Children’s Researchers Present at International Conference

Seattle Children’s researchers from the Center of Respiratory Biology and Therapeutics present work at American Thoracic Society conference.

Developing Monoclonal Therapies to Treat Serious Lung Infections

Researchers create monoclonal antibodies as a promising alternative to antibiotics for treating Pseudomonas infections.

New Cystic Fibrosis Guidelines Promise Improved Diagnosis in Newborns

New guidelines for newborn cystic fibrosis have the potential to diagnose cystic fibrosis in newborns earlier and in a wider range of communities, leading to better outcomes.

American Pediatric Society Honors Dr. Bonnie Ramsey

The 2025 John Howland Award recognizes the distinguished pediatrician’s significant contributions to advancing child health and the profession of pediatrics.

Research Saves Kids’ Lives

Seattle Children’s is a global leader driving life-changing breakthroughs for over 200 childhood diseases. But federal funding cuts are putting it all at risk.

Support Our Research

Your generous donation helps support the important work of the Center for Respiratory Biology and Therapeutics. Please consider a gift today and direct your donation to our center.