We focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying tissue fibrosis, asthma and acute lung injury. The work begins with basic investigation of how cells use members of the integrin family to detect, modify and respond to spatially restricted extracellular clues. Utilizing mice we generate with global or conditional knockouts of specific integrin subunits, the lab has identified important roles for specific integrins in multiple disease models and key steps upstream and downstream of the integrins that provide promising therapeutic targets.