Investigating the health effects of electronic cigarettes compared to traditional cigarettes
Development of biomarkers of exposure and effects for electronic cigarette vs. combustible cigarette use
This study is looking at how using e-cigarettes affects your health over time compared to regular cigarettes, and it’s for adults who vape, smoke, or don’t use either, to help us understand the risks better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10493359 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to understand the long-term health effects of electronic cigarette use compared to combustible cigarettes. By analyzing genetic and epigenetic changes in the cells of adult vapers and smokers, the study seeks to identify how these substances may affect health over time. Participants will include healthy adults who vape or smoke, as well as non-smokers for comparison. The research will utilize advanced techniques like RNA sequencing to uncover potential health risks associated with vaping.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are healthy adults aged 21 and older who either vape or smoke, as well as non-smokers for comparison.
Not a fit: Patients who do not use electronic cigarettes or combustible cigarettes, or those under 21 years old, may not receive benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide critical insights into the health risks of electronic cigarettes, potentially guiding public health policies and individual choices.
How similar studies have performed: While some research has explored the health effects of vaping, this study's multi-omics approach to directly compare e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Besaratinia, Ahmad — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Besaratinia, Ahmad
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.