WILD FINCH OPENS IN PAGOSA SPRINGS, COLORADO
New Signature Restaurant Features Wellness-focused Menu and Vibrant, Local Ingredients Designed to Nourish and Restore
PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo., May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — At Wild Finch, food comes first — fresh, bold, and full of vibrant flavors. The Springs Resort's newest restaurant, set to open Thursday, May 22, is a lively, chef-driven gathering spot where globally inspired dishes, local ingredients, and playful techniques create a menu that's both craveable and comforting. Helmed by Executive Chef Daya Myers-Hurt, Wild Finch celebrates the pure joy of good food, with a nutrition-focused philosophy naturally woven into every dish.
Drawing from her multicultural roots—Southern, Asian, African, and French cuisines, Chef Myers-Hurt crafts dishes that are generous in flavor, simple in spirit, and meant to be savored. Driven by a near-zero-waste philosophy, the kitchen spotlights fresh, local ingredients with techniques like pickling, fermentation, and thoughtful preparation that naturally supports gut health and balance. Nearly the entire menu is incidentally gluten-free, with a wide range of vegan and vegetarian offerings born out of flavor-first creativity rather than necessity.
At Wild Finch, serious food doesn't take itself too seriously. Seasonal produce from a local Colorado food network and exceptional mushrooms from locally owned 'Tooth and Gill' farms inspire menus that change with nature's rhythms. Game meats like elk and bison add a rustic Colorado twist to classic comforts, all prepared with a light, confident touch that lets each ingredient shine.
'Cooking is an act of service,' says Myers-Hurt. 'We want people to leave feeling closer to each other, better than when they walked in, and remembering that good food doesn't have to be complicated to be special.'
Influenced by the resort's Director of Nutrition, Sarah Goudie, M.Ed, FDN-P, Wild Finch's menu blends nutrition and indulgence naturally without sacrificing flavor. Her approach combines evidence-based nutrition with a deep understanding of how not just food, but the actual act of gathering together, impacts overall well-being. Goudie's expertise ensures that the guest's health and well-being are supported throughout the entire dining experience.
Menu highlights include:
Sablefish Crudo – Cilantro, Serrano, Lime, and Golden Beet
Chicken Fried Elk – Tender Elk Steak with Cream Gravy, Braised Local Greens, and a Kimchi Twist—a dish inspired by Chef's feuding grandparents
Grilled Cabbage Wedge – Korean Flavors And Chili Crisp
Sablefish — Topped with Achiote Butter, served with Sweet Potato & Shishito Hash
Save room for dessert as Wild Finch's sweets bring big flavors without heavy finishes. Highlights include the 'Campfire Girl,' featuring smoked chocolate, meringue, housemade vanilla ice cream, and a potato chip crumble and the 'Lime and the Coconut,' a vegan granita featuring coconut milk, lime, and cilantro, served with a shortbread crumble and chantilly crème.
Wild Finch's beverage menu will feature cocktails, zero-proof, and non-alcoholic options to ensure inclusivity is at the forefront of the menu. House and spirit-free libations are locally influenced and will rotate to reflect the seasonality of produce and herbs. Wild Finch will also offer wines by the bottle and glass, draft beers, and draft cocktails.
Beverage highlights include:
Capstone – Family Jones Gin, Thyme Syrup, Tonic, Lime
Ares – Hamilton White Rum, Lime Juice, Tempis Fugit banane
Black Swan – Black Tea Kombucha, Coconut, Pineapple, Ginger
Pagosa Collins – Chamomile, Taragon, Soda, Lemon
At the heart of Wild Finch's philosophy is the belief that every guest should leave feeling better than when they arrived. 'Food brings people together,' says Myers-Hurt. 'Whether it's West African peanut sauce or Korean chili crisp, these bold, celebratory flavors feel both familiar and new, helping guests connect not just to the food, but to each other.'
Opening May 22, Wild Finch is now accepting reservations here and will be open from 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For additional information, please visit the resort's website at thewildfinch.com or follow on Instagram at @wildfinchpagosa.
ABOUT WILD FINCH:Wild Finch is a chef-driven dining experience at The Springs Resort, located in the resort's new main building. Inspired by the American goldfinch—a lively, social songbird native to Colorado—Wild Finch reflects warmth, community, and the spirit of gathering. Overlooking the event lawn and the legendary Mother Spring, the restaurant offers picturesque views that enhance its serene and vibrant atmosphere. The menu, spearheaded by Chef Daya Myers-Hurt in collaboration with Director of Nutrition, Sarah Goudie, M.Ed, FDN-P, offers a variety of inclusive options for every type of diner with an emphasis on comfort, yet elevated dishes crafted to enhance guests' experience at The Springs Resort. For more information on Wild Finch, visit thewildfinch.com or follow @wildfinchpagosa and @pagosahotsprings on Instagram.
ABOUT THE SPRINGSNestled in a quaint Rocky Mountain town with over 50 geothermal soaking pools, including new immersive water features, The Springs Resort is committed to geothermal wellness. More than 25 additional pools will be terraced along the riverbank, deepening the resort's dedication to year-round wellness offerings for both guests and day visitors. Besides a full-service spa, the resort also offers a Panoramic Sauna; Aqua Sound Baths; a daily Gratitude Ceremony by the Mother Spring; self-applied mud treatments at Mud Beach; Aqua Floating Meditation; guided Vitality Plunges and more. The resort's Medical Director and balneologist, Dr. Marcus Coplin, brings years of expertise in the therapeutic use of mineral waters. With a background in both clinical practice and natural wellness, Dr. Coplin has designed results-oriented, user-friendly Soaking Guides that target sports recovery, detoxing, sleep, and wellness. To learn more, please visit www.pagosahotsprings.com.
MEDIA CONTACTaf&co.thespringsresort@afandco.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysian Reserve
8 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
GPCR-Targeting Therapies Market Poised for Strong Growth During the Forecast Period (2025-2034) Across 7MM Due to the Rising Cancer Diagnoses and Drug Pipeline Expansion
The GPCR-targeting therapies market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. This is due to the increasing number of patients who are being diagnosed with cancer, the growing awareness of GPCR-Targeting therapies, and the increasing number of GPCR-Targeting therapies that are under clinical trials and filed for approval by various companies. LAS VEGAS, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DelveInsight's GPCR-Targeting Therapies Market Size, Target Population, Competitive Landscape & Market Forecast report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, addressable patient population, which includes top indications such as PTCL, CTCL, migraine, NASH, and others. The selected indications are based on approved therapies and ongoing pipeline activity. The report also provides insights into the emerging GPCR-targeting therapies, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted GPCR-targeting therapies market size from 2020 to 2034, segmented into 7MM. Key Takeaways from the GPCR-Targeting Therapies Market Report As per DelveInsight's analysis, the total market size of GPCR-targeting therapies in the 7MM is expected to surge significantly by 2034. The United States is expected to hold the largest share of the total GPCR inhibitors market among the 7MM. The report provides the total potential number of patients in the indications, such as PTCL, CTCL, Migraine, NASH, and others. Leading GPCR-targeting therapies companies, such as CytoDyn, REMD Biotherapeutics, GPCR Therapeutics, Structure Therapeutics, and others, are developing novel GPCR-targeting therapies that can be available in the GPCR-targeting therapies market in the coming years. Some of the key GPCR-targeting therapies in the pipeline include Leronlimab, Volagidemab, GPC-100, GSBR-1290, and others. In July 2024, Radionetics Oncology entered into a strategic agreement with Eli Lilly and Company, providing Lilly access to Radionetics' proprietary GPCR targeting small molecule radiopharmaceuticals. Discover which indication is expected to grab the major GPCR-targeting therapies market share @ GPCR-Targeting Therapies Market Report GPCR-Targeting Therapies Market Dynamics The GPCR-targeting therapies market is experiencing dynamic growth, driven by advances in drug discovery technologies, an expanding understanding of GPCR biology, and the therapeutic relevance of these receptors in a wide array of diseases. GPCRs represent the largest family of membrane receptors in humans and are involved in regulating various physiological processes, making them attractive targets for drug development. Approximately 30–40% of currently approved drugs act on GPCRs, underscoring their clinical and commercial significance. One of the key market dynamics is the diversification of therapeutic areas beyond traditional indications such as cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders. Recent research has highlighted the role of GPCRs in oncology, metabolic disorders, and immune-mediated diseases, fueling interest in developing novel ligands, biased agonists, and allosteric modulators that offer greater specificity and reduced side effects. The development of precision medicine approaches and better structural characterization of GPCRs using cryo-electron microscopy have further enabled the design of highly targeted therapies. Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly investing in GPCR-focused pipelines, often in collaboration with biotechnology firms and academic research institutions. Strategic partnerships, licensing deals, and acquisitions are common, aiming to access novel chemistries and platform technologies, such as structure-based drug design, high-throughput screening, and artificial intelligence-enabled ligand discovery. These collaborations are vital for accelerating R&D timelines and reducing attrition rates in clinical development. However, the market also faces several challenges, including the inherent complexity of GPCR signaling pathways, the risk of off-target effects, and the difficulty of achieving functional selectivity. Regulatory hurdles, high development costs, and the need for robust biomarkers for patient stratification further complicate commercialization efforts. Despite these barriers, the pipeline remains robust, with a growing number of GPCR-targeting candidates advancing through preclinical and clinical stages. Overall, the GPCR-targeting therapies market is poised for sustained expansion, supported by scientific innovation, a growing demand for targeted treatments, and the therapeutic versatility of GPCRs. With the convergence of computational biology, structural pharmacology, and translational research, the next wave of GPCR-targeting drugs is expected to offer novel mechanisms of action and improved patient outcomes across diverse indications. GPCR-Targeting Therapies Treatment Market The market outlook for GPCR-targeting therapies is promising, driven by successful drugs like ZAVZPRET, POTELIGEO, AIMOVIG, and VYEPTI. ZAVZPRET is an innovative small-molecule antagonist of the CGRP receptor, approved for the acute treatment of migraines, both with and without aura, in adults. It works by inhibiting the CGRP receptor, which plays a key role in migraine development by contributing to neurogenic inflammation and blood vessel dilation. Administered as a nasal spray, ZAVZPRET allows for quick absorption through the nasal lining, providing direct access to the bloodstream while bypassing the digestive system and first-pass liver metabolism. POTELIGEO, developed by Kyowa Kirin, is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the CCR4 receptor—a protein commonly found on certain cancerous T-cells. By binding to CCR4, the drug helps recruit immune cells to attack and eliminate malignant cells, thereby boosting the body's immune defense against cancer. Initially approved in Japan in 2012 for relapsed or refractory CCR4-positive adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), its indication was expanded in 2014 to include relapsed or refractory CCR4-positive peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). The U.S. FDA approved POTELIGEO in 2018 for Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome, with similar approvals granted in Europe. In June 2020, the drug became commercially available in Germany for adults with Mycosis Fungoides or Sézary Syndrome who had undergone at least one prior systemic treatment. Erenumab, co-developed by Amgen and Novartis, is a fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to and blocks CGRP receptors. CGRP ligands, which are small neuropeptides, contribute to migraine and chronic pain through strong vasodilatory effects. By directly competing with CGRP, erenumab provides a high degree of specificity and effectiveness compared to small-molecule therapies. It is used to treat conditions such as migraine, vasoconstriction, hot flashes, and stable angina pectoris. The antibody received approval in the U.S. in May 2018 and in the EU in July 2018. Learn more about the FDA-approved GPCR-targeting therapies @ GPCR-Targeting Therapies Drugs Key Emerging GPCR-Targeting Therapies and Companies Several key players, including CytoDyn (Leronlimab), REMD Biotherapeutics (Volagidemab), Structure Therapeutics (GSBR-1290), GPCR Therapeutics (GPC-100), and others, are involved in developing drugs for GPCR-targeting therapies for various indications such as NASH, Multiple Myeloma, Diabetes, and others. Volagidemab (REMD-477) is a human monoclonal antibody targeting the glucagon receptor (GCGR), developed by REMD Biotherapeutics for the treatment of juvenile type I diabetes (T1D) and type II diabetes (T2D). It functions by binding to GCGR and competitively inhibiting its signaling pathway. This action enhances glucose uptake by the liver, reduces the breakdown of glycogen and gluconeogenesis, and stimulates glycogen synthesis—collectively contributing to its blood sugar-lowering effects (CK060182). As of March 2021, the drug was being investigated in multiple indications: T1D and T2D were in Phase II clinical trials, glucose intolerance was in Phase I, and metabolic disorders were in the preclinical stage (CK060183). Leronlimab is classified as a viral entry inhibitor, a type of HIV therapy that blocks the virus from penetrating and infecting healthy cells. In contrast to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), which targets HIV after cell entry and replication, Leronlimab intervenes earlier in the viral life cycle. The critical role of the CCR5 receptor in HIV infection is highlighted by the natural immunity observed in individuals with a genetic mutation that disables CCR5 expression. Leronlimab is currently under development for the treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), HIV-associated NASH, and various solid tumors, with development efforts currently in Phase II. In April 2019, the company signed multiple agreements with Samsung for the transfer of technology, process validation, manufacturing, and pre-approval inspection services, aimed at supporting the commercial production of Leronlimab's bulk drug substance. The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies are poised to transform the GPCR-targeting therapies market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the GPCR-targeting therapies market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth. To know more about GPCR-targeting therapies clinical trials, visit @ GPCR-Targeting Therapies Treatment Drugs GPCR-Targeting Therapies Overview G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a vital group of cell surface receptors that regulate numerous physiological processes. In many cancers, GPCR pathways are often dysregulated due to abnormal expression, increased activity, or mutations, contributing to uncontrolled cell growth, blood vessel formation, and metastasis. GPCRs are categorized into several classes based on their structure and function. In humans, the primary classes include Class A (Rhodopsin-like), Class B (Secretin and Adhesion), Class C (Metabotropic glutamate/pheromone), and Class F (Frizzled/TAS2). Additional classes, such as Class D (fungal mating pheromone receptors) and Class E (cyclic AMP receptors), are present in non-human organisms. Among these, Class A is the most extensive, encompassing a majority of hormone, neurotransmitter, and sensory receptors. Class B is split into secretin and adhesion subgroups, Class C comprises receptors for glutamate and GABA, and Class F includes receptors like frizzled and smoothened involved in Wnt signaling. This classification underscores the structural and functional diversity of GPCRs and their critical roles in both normal physiology and disease. GPCR-Targeting Therapies Epidemiology Segmentation The GPCR-targeting therapies market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020–2034 in the 7MM, segmented into: Total Cases in Selected Indications for GPCR-Targeting Therapies Total Eligible Patient Pool in Selected Indications for GPCR-Targeting Therapies Total Treated Cases in Selected Indications for GPCR-Targeting Therapies GPCR-Targeting Therapies Report Metrics Details Study Period 2020–2034 GPCR-Targeting Therapies Report Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU-4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan] Key Indications Covered in the Report PTCL, CTCL, Migraine, NASH, and others Key GPCR-Targeting Therapies Companies CytoDyn, REMD Biotherapeutics, GPCR Therapeutics, Structure Therapeutics, Pfizer, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Novartis, Amgen, Lundbeck, and others Key GPCR-Targeting Therapies Leronlimab, Volagidemab, GPC-100, GSBR-1290, ZAVZPRET, POTELIGEO, AIMOVIG, VYEPTI, and others Scope of the GPCR-Targeting Therapies Market Report GPCR-Targeting Therapies Therapeutic Assessment: GPCR-Targeting Therapies current marketed and emerging therapies GPCR-Targeting Therapies Market Dynamics: Conjoint Analysis of Emerging GPCR-Targeting Therapies Drugs Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, GPCR-Targeting Therapies Market Access and Reimbursement Discover more about GPCR-targeting therapies in development @ GPCR-Targeting Therapies Clinical Trials Table of Contents 1. Key Insights 2. Report Introduction 3. Executive Summary 4. Key Events 5. Epidemiology and Market Forecast Methodology 6. GPCR-Targeting Therapies Market Overview at a Glance in the 7MM 6.1. Market Share (%) Distribution by Indications in 2020 6.2. Market Share (%) Distribution by Indications in 2034 7. GPCR-Targeting Therapies: Background and Overview 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Potential of GPCR-Targeting Therapies in Different Indications 7.3. Clinical Applications of GPCR-Targeting Therapies 8. Treatment and Management 9. Target Patient Pool of GPCR-Targeting Therapies 9.1. Assumptions and Rationale 9.2. Key Findings 9.3. Total Cases of Selected Indication for GPCR-Targeting Therapies in the 7MM 9.4. Total Eligible Patient Pool of Selected Indication for GPCR-Targeting Therapies in the 7MM 9.5. Total Treatable Cases in Selected Indication for GPCR-Targeting Therapies in the 7MM 10. Marketed Therapies 10.1. Key Competitors 10.2. OTELIGEO (mogamulizumab-kpkc): Kyowa Hakko Kirin 10.2.1. Product Description 10.2.2. Regulatory milestones 10.2.3. Other developmental activities 10.2.4. Clinical development 10.2.5. Safety and efficacy 10.3. AIMOVIG (erenumab-aooe): Novartis/Amgen 10.3.1. Product Description 10.3.2. Regulatory milestones 10.3.3. Other developmental activities 10.3.4. Clinical development 10.3.5. Safety and efficacy List to be continued in the report 11. Emerging Therapies 11.1. Key Competitors 11.2. Volagidemab: REMD Biotherapeutics 11.2.1. Product Description 11.2.2. Other developmental activities 11.2.3. Clinical development 11.2.4. Safety and efficacy 11.3. Leronlimab: CytoDyn 11.3.1. Product Description 11.3.2. Other developmental activities 11.3.3. Clinical development 11.3.4. Safety and efficacy 12. GPCR-Targeting Therapies: Seven Major Market Analysis 12.1. Key Findings 12.2. Market Outlook 12.3. Conjoint Analysis 12.4. Key Market Forecast Assumptions 12.4.1. Cost Assumptions and Rebates 12.4.2. Pricing Trends 12.4.3. Analogue Assessment 12.4.4. Launch Year and Therapy Uptakes 12.5. Total Market Sizes of GPCR-Targeting Therapies by Indications in the 7MM 12.6. The United States Market Size 12.6.1. Market Size by Indication in the United States 12.6.2. Market Size by Therapies in the United States 12.7. EU4 and the UK 12.7.1. Market Size by Indications in EU4 and the UK 12.7.2. Market Size by Therapies in EU4 and the UK 12.8. Japan 12.8.1. Market Size by Indications in Japan 12.8.2. Market Size by Therapies in Japan 13. KOL Views 14. Unmet Needs 15. Market Access and Reimbursement 16. Appendix 16.1. Bibliography 16.2. Report Methodology 17. DelveInsight Capabilities 18. Disclaimer 19. About DelveInsight Related Reports Migraine Market Migraine Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key migraine companies, including Lundbeck Seattle BioPharmaceutical, Eli Lilly and Company, Amgen, Novartis, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Allergan, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Reddy's Labs, AbbVie, Impel NeuroPharma, Zosano Pharma, Axsome Therapeutics, Aeon Biopharma Inc., Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Charleston Laboratories, among others. Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis Market Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key MASH companies, including Inventiva Pharma, Novo Nordisk A/S, Cirius Therapeutics, Inc., Akero Therapeutics, Inc., 89bio, Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim, Zealand Pharma, Galectin Therapeutics Inc., Lipocine Inc., Viking Therapeutics, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Boston Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, HighTide Biopharma, CytoDyn, Inc., Merck & Co., Hanmi Pharmaceutical, Hepagene (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Hepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Enyo Pharmaceuticals, Gilead Sciences, Poxel SA, Zydus Therapeutics, Sagimet Biosciences Inc., Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Corcept Therapeutics, among others. Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Market Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key CTCL companies, including Pfizer, Helsinn Therapeutics, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Citius Pharmaceuticals, Soligenix, Prescient Therapeutics, Innate Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, BioInvent International AB, among others. Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Market Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast – 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key PTCL companies, including Secura Bio, Shanghai YingLi Pharmaceutical, Dizal Pharmaceuticals, Viracta Therapeutics, Innate Pharma, CStone Pharmaceuticals, Affimed, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Astex Pharmaceuticals, Autolus, Myeloid Therapeutics, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Bristol Myers Squibb, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve. Contact Us Shruti Thakur info@ +14699457679 Logo: View original content:
Malaysian Reserve
9 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
ENA Launches First Triage Verification for Emergency Nurses
Emergency Nursing Triage Education Program boosts nurses' confidence in triage decisions SCHAUMBURG, Ill., June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — When lives are on the line, every triage decision in an emergency department matters. Studies show that accurate triage rates are alarmingly low, averaging 59 percent, which is an urgent issue impacting patient care. That gap in education and consistency can mean the difference between timely care and delayed outcomes. To help bridge that gap, ENA launched the Emergency Nursing Triage Education Program. ENTEP, the first and only triage verification program offers standardized education and evaluation process for ED nurses to be verified in triage. 'ENTEP is a truly comprehensive course for nurses who want to bolster their triage education,' said ENA President Ryan Oglesby, PhD, MHA, RN, CEN, CFRN, NEA-BC. 'Some of our pilot participants have said the class made triage feel effortless, they were more confident in identifying triage level and were able to hone their critical thinking skills around special populations such as geriatric, pediatric and pregnant patients.' ENTEP covers a variety of topics, chosen through research and based on five domains. The topics include triage concepts and clinical judgement, focused assessment and questioning for common ED presentations, special populations and considerations, supporting acuity with documentation, communication, triage scenarios, self-care and ESI. Upon completion of the one-and-a-half-day program, along with pre-course work and passing a written exam, participants will be eligible for 22 CE hours and a four-year verification. To learn more about ENTEP or bring it to your hospital, click here. You can also hear from a pilot participant about the program's value on the ENA Podcast. About the Emergency Nurses AssociationThe Emergency Nurses Association is the premier professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing through advocacy, education, research, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA has proven to be an indispensable resource to the global emergency nursing community. With nearly 45,000 members worldwide, ENA advocates for patient safety, develops industry-leading practice standards and guidelines, and guides emergency health care public policy. ENA members have expertise in triage, patient care, disaster preparedness, and all aspects of emergency care. Additional information is available at ENA Media Contact:Morgan WietechaMedia Relations Strategist847.460.4038[email protected]
Malaysian Reserve
11 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
First Lung Organoid with Organ-Specific Blood Vessels
Advanced lab-grown tissues help show how special lung cells develop, shedding light on rare ACDMPV disease and suggesting potential ways to repair damage from viral infections such as COVID-19 CINCINNATI, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A team of experts at Cincinnati Children's reports another powerful step forward in organoid medicine: success at making human lung tissue that can produce its own blood vessels. Their findings, published in the same month as a similar success involving liver organoids, reflect a new wave of advanced lab-grown tissues that can be used immediately in many research applications while moving ever closer to serving as living tissues that can directly repair damaged organs. Details were posted online June 30, 2025, in the journal Cell. 'Prior to our study, the development of lung organoids with organotypic vasculature had not been achieved,' says co-corresponding author Mingxia Gu, MD, PhD. 'Notably, this method also could be applied to other organ systems such as intestine and colon.' Gu, now at UCLA, was a member of the Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine (CuSTOM) and Division of Pulmonary Biology at Cincinnati Children's while this research was conducted. Co-first and co-corresponding author Yifei Miao, PhD, (now at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing) also was with Cincinnati Children's for this work. Co-corresponding author Minzhe Guo, PhD, remains with Cincinnati Children's along with several co-authors involved in this study. Overcoming a major challenge Researchers have been working for years to grow organoids — sometimes called 'organs in a dish.' Creating organoids involves converting mature human cells (such as blood or tissue cells) back into fetal-like stem cells that can be coaxed into growing a wide range of other tissue types. Unlike disconnected human cells kept alive in a dish, these are growing, developing mini-organs that form into seed-sized spheres that mimic the unique functions of full-sized organs. Intestines that absorb and secrete. Stomachs that produce digestive acids. Hearts that pulse. Brain tissues with firing nerve cells and so on. Cincinnati Children's has been a leader in organoid development since 2010 when experts here produced the world's first functional intestinal organoid grown from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). More recently, the challenge has been learning how to grow organoid tissues that can connect with the rest of the body to integrate nerve connections, blood vessels, bile ducts, immune systems and more. During pregnancy, these differing tissue types naturally find each other as the fetus matures and becomes more complex. Organoid developers seek to re-produce these steps in the laboratory, which eventually may allow people to receive custom-grown tissues that could patch damage or boost disrupted functions. Simpler forms of organoids have already begun transforming medical research, allowing many scientists to use living human tissue models to study disease while reducing current reliance on animal models to develop new medicines. But without the ability to make internal blood vessels, the tiny seeds lack the ability to grow into larger, more useful tissues. How the team solved the vascular riddle The new study thoroughly recounts the results of many experiments the team conducted to demonstrate success at inducing blood vessel formation. The work spanned four years and involved more than 20 people at Cincinnati Children's plus collaborations with experts at several other organizations. 'The challenge in vascularizing endodermal organs, particularly the lung, stems from different signaling requirements for lung epithelial versus vascular differentiation,' says Miao. 'Our success in this endeavor is attributable to our unique differentiation method.' In essence, the team grew iPSCs from multiple cell types then found the right moment to introduce them to each other. The resulting cell signals helped flip a developmental switch so that progenitor cells that could have become either blood vessels or the outer walls of the lung wound up becoming blood vessels. In achieving this vital step, the team: Produced lung organoids that include respiratory bronchial epithelial cells (RAS cells), a human cell type not previously reported in conventional lung organoid models. Pinned down the developmental moments when a rudimentary gut tube begins to send some cells to form the lungs while sending other cells to form the stomach and intestine. While the basic steps of this transformation have been studied in animals, it had not been possible to study this stage of development in humans without killing fetuses. Demonstrated that the rare disease ACDMPV occurs when cell signaling 'crosstalk' gets disrupted during this early blood vessel formation stage. Within days of birth, infants born with Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia with Misalignment of Pulmonary Veins (ACDMPV) struggle to breathe because their lungs' air sacs (alveoli) and blood vessels are malformed. Nearly all infants with this condition die within the first month of life, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders. Revealed key functional information about the cells involved in gas exchange inside the human lung. Their learnings help explain the damage within tiny blood capillaries that occurs in the lungs in response to injuries. These new clues offer fresh ideas for developing ways to protect and potentially restore affected lung tissues. What's Next? Cincinnati Children's has filed patent applications related to the methods developed here to produce organoids with blood vessel formation capabilities and the CuSTOM team is moving to further develop this technology. 'We look forward to continuing to learn more about the fundamental biology involved in organ formation and applying those discoveries to improving outcomes across a wide range of difficult human diseases and conditions,' says Aaron Zorn, PhD, co-director of CuSTOM and director of the Division of Developmental Biology. In addition to publishing these findings in Cell, co-authors plan to present their work at the Keystone conference in Kyoto, Japan (iPSCs: Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges) in January 2026. About the study Cincinnati Children's co-equal first authors were Miao, Nicole Pek, BS, and Cheng Tan, MD. Contributing co-authors from Cincinnati Children's were Cheng Jiang, MS, Zhiyun Yu, PhD, Kentaro Iwasawa, MD, PhD, Min Shi, MD, PhD, Daniel Kechele, PhD, Nambirajan Sundaram, PhD, Victor Pastrana-Gomez, MSTP student, Debora Sinner, PhD, Cheng-Lun Na, PhD, Keishi Kishimoto, PhD, Jason Tchieu, PhD, Jeffrey Whitsett, MD, Kyle McCracken, MD, PhD, Michael Helmrath, MD, James Wells, PhD, Takanori Takebe, MD, PhD, and Aaron Zorn, PhD. Contributing co-authors included experts from Harvard Medical School, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Sophia Children's Hospital (The Netherlands), Boston University This research also was supported by the Discover Together Biobank, the Bio-Imaging and Analysis Facility, and the Integrated Pathology Research Core at Cincinnati Children's and the University of Cincinnati Proteomics Laboratory. Funding sources for this work included: the National Institutes of Health (R01HL166283, DK128799-01, N01-75N92020C00005 and R01HL095993); an Endowed Scholar Award from the Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation; the American Heart Association (1013861 and 906513); the Falk Transformational Awards Program; and the Brigham Research Institute. Learn more about working with CuSTOM Learn how donors can support ongoing organoid research at Cincinnati Children's
