Finding molecular types of emphysema using CT scans and blood tests
Imaging and multi-omics analyses to identify molecular subtypes of distinct emphysema patterns
This project uses CT lung images plus blood and lung-tissue tests to find different molecular types of emphysema in people with COPD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146689 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We will map emphysema patterns in each lung lobe using detailed CT image analysis from large COPD research groups. Then we will combine genetic, DNA methylation, telomere, gene expression, and protein data from blood and lung tissue to look for distinct molecular subtypes tied to those CT patterns. Machine learning will be used to build a blood-based test that is informed by what is seen in lung tissue. The work uses existing well-characterized COPD cohorts and lab validation to make findings more reliable.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with COPD who have CT-confirmed emphysema (centrilobular, panlobular, or paraseptal) and who can provide blood samples or, when available, lung tissue.
Not a fit: People without COPD or emphysema, or those unable to provide blood or tissue samples, are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a blood test that helps identify specific emphysema subtypes and guide more personalized treatment choices.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked CT emphysema patterns to genetic and blood markers, but combining lobar imaging with multi-omics and a lung-informed blood test is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El Boueiz, Adel — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: El Boueiz, Adel
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.