Placenta genes and newborn metabolism linked to childhood asthma
Official title: The association of placental gene expression and newborn metabolic profiles in understanding childhood asthma pathogenesis
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11310156 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how gene activity in the placenta and metabolic markers in newborns relate to the risk of childhood asthma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $131,965 |
| NIH project number | 5R03HL177130-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11310156 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be pregnant people delivering at participating hospitals who can consent to placental collection and newborn blood sampling, with follow-up for early-life wheeze and asthma.
✕Less likely to help
Adults with long-standing asthma or people without available placental or newborn samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will analyze gene activity in placenta tissue and metabolic markers measured at your baby's birth to look for biological pathways linked to childhood asthma. They will use advanced tests that read which genes are active in the placenta and measure small molecules in newborn blood from existing birth groups and then connect those patterns to early wheezing and asthma. They will compare molecular signatures between babies who go on to develop asthma and those who do not to find intermediary processes that may cause the disease. This could point to placental pathways that affect newborn metabolism and later breathing problems, suggesting targets for prevention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help identify early markers and biological pathways to prevent or reduce childhood asthma.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work, including by these investigators, has linked certain newborn metabolites to early wheeze and asthma, but combining placental gene expression with newborn metabolomics is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Snyder, Brittney M — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Snyder, Brittney M
Related research
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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.