Connecting genetic changes to coronary artery disease
Integrative genomic and functional genomic studies to connect variant to function for CAD GWAS loci
This project uses large-scale genetic and lab data to find which DNA changes raise the risk of coronary artery disease, aiming to help people with atherosclerotic heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11299059 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze large genetic datasets from people with coronary artery disease, including detailed gene-expression (eQTL) data from more than 1,300 subjects across heart-relevant tissues. They will apply computer-based pipelines to nominate specific DNA variants, the regulatory elements they affect, and the target genes and pathways in different cell types such as macrophages and vascular cells. Lab-based functional genomics experiments will then test how those variants change gene activity in the relevant cells, linking a genetic change to a biological effect. The goal is to map the genes and cell types that drive disease risk so new treatment targets can be identified.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease who are willing to provide genetic data, blood, or tissue samples or to contribute medical records and follow-up information are the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: People without atherosclerotic heart disease or those expecting immediate personal medical benefit are unlikely to gain direct clinical improvements from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new genes and pathways to target for therapies that prevent or treat coronary artery disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous GWAS-guided discoveries have produced approved drugs and promising targets for heart disease, but systematically linking variants to causal genes across tissues is still a developing approach.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Hanrui — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Hanrui
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.