How genetic changes affect gene control in COPD

Leveraging Variant-perturbed Gene Regulation to Support Precision Medicine in COPD

NIH-funded research Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11323503

The team will map how genetic differences change gene and microRNA regulation to point to new treatment targets for people with COPD.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11323503 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers are studying how genetic variants change the way genes and microRNAs control lung cells in COPD. They build computational network maps that combine patient genetic and molecular data with laboratory information. Those disrupted network patterns will be matched to drug-response databases like the Connectivity Map to nominate existing compounds or molecular targets that might reverse harmful changes. The overall aim is to generate leads for more personalized COPD treatments based on each person's molecular profile.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People living with COPD who can provide genetic information and blood or tissue samples, and who can work with Brigham and Women's Hospital, would be ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People without COPD, those unwilling to provide genetic or tissue samples, or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to targeted therapies tailored to the molecular causes of an individual's COPD.

How similar studies have performed: Related network-based and Connectivity Map approaches have identified candidate drugs in other diseases, but applying them to COPD and miRNA–variant interactions is a relatively new approach.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary DiseaseChronic Obstructive Lung DiseaseChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.