​Airway inflammation causes an increased production of reactive oxygen species, responsible for degradation of cell membranes. During this process, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are formed. Measurement of VOCs in exhaled breath of patients may therefore be useful for the assessment of airway inflammation. We are studying VOCs in all kinds of inflammatory conditions including for instance chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

To reach our goals, We developed a methodological approach able to identify profiles of VOCs in breath unique for patient groups using GC-MS.