Genes behind abdominal aortic aneurysm
Official title: Using genetics to discover mechanisms of abdominal aortic aneurysm
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11161577 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will use large-scale genetic and tissue data to find genes and biological signals that could help prevent or treat abdominal aortic aneurysms in people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 18, 2011 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $779,872 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL109946-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11161577 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with abdominal aortic aneurysm, a strong family history of AAA, or who are enrolled in a contributing biobank or cardiovascular genetics study would be most relevant to this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without AAA-related conditions, those unwilling to provide genetic or tissue samples, or patients seeking immediate therapeutic benefit should not expect direct benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project combines genetic data from large international cohorts to increase the number of people studied and find genetic regions linked to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The team will fine-map those regions using bioinformatics and multi-omics data from abdominal aorta tissue to prioritize likely causal genes. Top candidate genes will be tested in cell culture and animal models to understand how they affect aortic biology. Researchers from genetics, computational biology, and cardiovascular medicine aim to turn genetic signals into prevention or treatment targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal biological targets that lead to earlier detection, prevention strategies, or new treatments for AAA.
How similar studies have gone: Similar genetics and multi-omics approaches have identified risk genes for coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, but applying these methods to AAA is relatively new and remains exploratory.
Where this research is happening
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University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Yuqing Eugene — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Chen, Yuqing Eugene
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How the small regulator miR-146a affects abdominal aortic aneurysm
This project aims to see if boosting a natural genetic regulator called miR-146a can help slow or prevent growth and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysms in people with this condition.
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MOF’s role in weakening the aorta and stopping aneurysm growth
Scientists are studying how a molecule called MOF and inflammatory signals affect abdominal aortic aneurysms to find ways to slow or stop their enlargement.
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Endovascular Suturing Device to Improve Endograft Fixation in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
A new device aims to better secure endografts during EVAR for abdominal aortic aneurysm to reduce future repairs.
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Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and abdominal aortic aneurysm growth
A study exploring how fats in the blood (TRLs) influence the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms to find non-surgical ways to protect against rupture, especially in people aged 65 and older.
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Using genetics to uncover how abdominal aortic aneurysms develop
A research team will study how genetic differences influence abdominal aortic aneurysm to help with earlier prevention and better treatment.
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Phospholipid-based nanotherapies to treat abdominal aortic aneurysm
A new nanoparticle treatment is being developed to slow or stop the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms in adults.
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.