Non-coding RNA and COPD: how RNA structure changes with disease
Official title: Non-coding RNA structure change in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11399913 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A COPD research project explores how non-coding RNA structures in adults with COPD change due to genetic differences and how this affects gene activity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 | January 1, 2012 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $650,921 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL111527-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399913 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years or older with or at risk for COPD, or individuals contributing biological samples for RNA-structure studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose COPD is not driven by the studied RNA structure changes may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project studies how variations in non-coding regions of RNA, especially UTRs, influence RNA structure and gene expression in COPD patients. Using three novel chemistry-based methods, researchers will examine RNA structure inside cells, identify higher-order RNA shapes, and map through-space contacts to build 3D models. The goal is to connect genetic changes to how COPD-related genes are turned on or off, potentially revealing new targets for therapy. The work involves collaboration at the University of North Carolina and leverages patient-relevant data and samples to understand disease mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding RNA structure in COPD could lead to new biomarkers or therapeutic targets that modulate gene expression and disease progression.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work in RNA structure probing has shown promise in linking structure to gene expression, with expanding evidence in related diseases.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laederach, Alain T — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Laederach, Alain T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Ethics-aware Multimodal AI for COPD prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
A broad AI model uses diverse health data to help predict and manage COPD in people, with an emphasis on ethics and fairness.
-
Positive airway pressure therapy for older veterans with COPD and sleep apnea overlap
A plan to see if using a CPAP/BAP therapy improves sleep, thinking, and quality of life for older veterans who have both COPD and sleep apnea.
-
Understanding how microbes and our bodies shape HIV-related COPD in LMICs
This project looks at how interactions between the human body and microbes may influence COPD in people living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries.
-
Anti-EMAP II antibody as a first-in-class treatment for COPD-related pulmonary hypertension
A first-in-class antibody treatment is being developed to help people with COPD-related pulmonary hypertension by blocking EMAP II, a molecule involved in lung injury and inflammation.
-
ANT2 and mitochondrial dysfunction in COPD: how energy transport affects lung repair
This project studies how a key mitochondrial transporter (ANT2) may drive aging-like cell changes and repair problems in the lungs of people with COPD.
-
COPD in people with HIV: risks, care quality, and outcomes
This effort looks at how chronic lung disease affects people living with HIV and how care quality relates to their outcomes.
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.