Lung Health

Looking out for lungs is a priority at the University of Minnesota, from tobacco product research to pulmonary care and lung transplantation technology and trends.

With a multidisciplinary approach to support lung health, lung care, and lung-focused research, the University of Minnesota is dedicated to making everyone breathe a little easier.

Our experts lead the way in tobacco research, understanding the role of carcinogens in cancer development and pushing for federal oversight on tobacco products.

Always innovating, the lung transplant program at the University of Minnesota was on the leading edge of a trial to utilize the Breathing Lung device—designed to expand the lung donor pool and decrease recovery times for recipients.

Current research topics include:

  • E-cigarettes and the impact on current and emerging smokers
  • Smoking cessation
  • Lung transplant technology
  • Transplant viability
  • Cystic fibrosis treatment options

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LUNG HEALTH RESEARCH ACROSS THE U

Striving to find cures for Acute Lung Injury, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension and other deadly lung diseases as we continuously improve current preventive strategies and treatment modalities.


Celebrating a long history of innovation and excellence in heart and lung surgery.


The Tobacco Research Programs started with a few studies back in the early 1980’s. Early studies at the University of Minnesota helped to characterize physical dependence on nicotine and the nicotine withdrawal syndrome. Some of our early treatment studies examined the effectiveness of nicotine gum and the nicotine patch.


Since 1986, more than 500 lung transplants have been performed by University of Minnesota physicians, with excellent success rates. These transplants include the first heart/lung transplant, lung transplant and living donor lung transplant in Minnesota. Our cystic fibrosis patients have a longer life expectancy than any other cystic fibrosis program in the United States, and our center is one of only 15 in the nation to be designated as a Translational and Therapeutic Development center by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.