Marta Figueiredo, PhD, managing science editor —

Marta holds a biology degree, a master’s in evolutionary and developmental biology, and a PhD in biomedical sciences from the University of Lisbon, Portugal. She was awarded a research scholarship and a PhD scholarship, and her research focused on the role of several signaling pathways in thymus and parathyroid glands embryonic development. She also previously worked as an assistant professor of an annual one-week embryology course at the University of Lisbon’s Faculty of Medicine.

Articles by Marta Figueiredo

Inhaling Microplastics, a Pollutant, Linked to Higher PF Risk in Mice

The inhalation of tiny plastic particles called polystyrene microplastics — an emerging pollutant that affects both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems — was associated with the development of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in healthy mice, a study shows. Notably, these microplastics were found to promote oxidative stress and damage to lung cells,…

Algernon Secures Canadian Patent of NP-120 for IPF

Algernon Pharmaceuticals has been notified it will be given a Canadian patent, as requested, covering its investigational oral therapy NP-120 (ifenprodil) for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Initially developed by Sanofi and approved for the treatment of circulatory disorders in Japan and South Korea, ifenprodil showed anti-scarring and anti-coughing effects…

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Reduced Lung Cell Aging in Mice

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) lessened lung scarring by reducing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)-related aging of lung cells that play a key role in tissue repair, according to a study in a mouse model of IPF. Notably, these benefits were associated with a normalization of the levels of molecules involved…

Top 10 Pulmonary Fibrosis Stories of 2021

Pulmonary Fibrosis News brought you daily coverage throughout 2021 of the latest scientific findings, treatment developments, and clinical trials related to pulmonary fibrosis (PF). As a reminder of what mattered most to you during the past year, here are the top 10 most-read articles of 2021, with a brief…

Autoantibody Reduction Regimen Improves Lungs, Survival: Study

An autoantibody reduction regimen that combines three treatments improved lung function and survival in adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who are experiencing acute symptom worsening, a small study suggests. Early, positive clinical responses predicted better long-term outcomes, and high levels of autoantibodies against epithelial markers before treatment were…