Environmental exposures and inflammation in blood stem cells
Official title: Role of environmental exposure and inflammation on hematopoietic stem cell disorders
Funded at Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11411479 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Many people exposed to pollution and environmental disasters may develop blood disorders due to inflammation and DNA changes in blood stem cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $563,225 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK144815-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411479 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with documented exposure to environmental pollutants such as PAHs or burn pit events, including WTC exposure cohorts, and individuals with signs of hematopoietic aging.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without exposure history or hematopoietic abnormalities may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how pollutants from things like car exhaust and burn pits affect the body's blood-forming cells and potentially lead to long-lasting changes. Researchers will study human blood samples from exposed individuals and use mouse models to understand how inflammation and DNA damage change hematopoietic stem cells over time. The goal is to uncover why certain environmental exposures increase risks for blood disorders and aging of the blood system. If these links are confirmed, it could point to ways to prevent or treat related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding environmental triggers of blood disorders could lead to earlier detection and new strategies to prevent or treat these conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest a link between environmental exposures, inflammation, and clonal hematopoiesis, indicating potential for similar lines of research.
Where this research is happening
-
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Verma, Divij — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Verma, Divij
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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.