Predicting COPD Exacerbations with genetics, proteins, and deep learning
Official title: Integrating Multi-Trait Genetics, Proteomics, and Deep Learning to Uncover Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for COPD Exacerbations
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11339837 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to build a genetic and protein-based model, using advanced AI, to identify people with COPD who are most at risk of sudden worsening episodes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $894,314 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL185567-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11339837 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with COPD who may be eligible for genetic and biomarker studies and have available clinical data.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without COPD or without access to genomic/protein data related to COPD risk are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project combines multiple layers of data—genetic information, blood protein markers, and single-cell lung data—to create a powerful model that predicts COPD flare-ups. Researchers will build a multi-trait genetic risk score and link it to protein markers that may signal higher risk, using large patient cohorts. They will also use deep learning on lung cell data to map biomarkers to specific cell types and explore potential drug targets. The goal is to better predict who will experience exacerbations and uncover mechanisms that could guide treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with COPD could receive personalized risk predictions and have more targeted prevention and therapy options.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that combining genetic and proteomic data can improve disease risk prediction, but integrating multi-trait genetics with proteomics and single-cell data in COPD is an emerging approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moll, Matthew R — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Moll, Matthew R
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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.