Investigating how genetics affect responses to ozone exposure
Official title: Understanding the Genetic Contributions to Variation in Ozone Exposure Response
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10999052 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our genes might affect how our lungs react to ozone, a type of air pollution that can make breathing problems like asthma and COPD worse, to help find out who might be more at risk for serious issues when exposed to it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $40,064 |
| NIH project number | 1F31HL176167-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10999052 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are exposed to ozone pollution.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without respiratory conditions or those not exposed to ozone pollution may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how genetic factors influence individual responses to ozone, a harmful air pollutant that can worsen lung conditions like asthma and COPD. By examining human bronchial epithelial cells, the study aims to identify genetic variants that contribute to varying levels of airway inflammation and lung function decrements after ozone exposure. The approach includes mapping gene expression changes in response to ozone, which may reveal important gene-environment interactions. This could help identify individuals at higher risk for severe reactions to air pollution.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification of individuals at risk for severe respiratory issues due to ozone exposure, potentially guiding personalized prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in identifying genetic factors related to environmental responses, making this approach promising yet still exploring novel aspects of gene-environment interactions.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lester, Sarah Ann — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Lester, Sarah Ann
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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.