The scientific research within the University Lungcentre Nijmegen (ULCN) is aimed at the pathogenesis, pathophysiology and treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is concerned as much with basic (animal experimental) as clinical patient related research. The research is embedded in the research theme 2.1 ‘Heart, Lung and Circulation of the Main Programme 2 ‘Heart, Lung and Vascular diseases’ of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre. On a national level this research comes under the heading asthma/COPD within the nationwide centre such as is formulated by the council for Health Research (RGO). Furthermore the research is involved in frameworks of work groups of the Dutch Asthma Foundation (NAF), The Dutch Union of Practitioners for Lung Disease and Tuberculosis (NVALT) and in Task-Forces of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and of the American Thoracic Society (ATS).

The research performed by the Department of Pulmonary Diseases is aimed at analyses and modulation of the structure and function of the diaphragm of patients with COPD and of animals with emphysema. In the past years research has been performed into various projects as to what the effects are of various catabolic and anabolic medications on structure and function of diaphragms of normal and emphysematous hamsters. This animal experimental model has been set up and validated. In this model isometric and isotonic contractile properties of isolated diaphragm bundles, single fibres and phrenic nervus -muscle preparations are measured.