Understanding COPD by linking genes, metabolites, and the body’s signals
Official title: Interrogating the pathogenesis of COPD using metabolomics and genomics data
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11413749 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study using blood and lung data to map how genetic factors and metabolism drive COPD, with the goal of finding new targets for treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $709,327 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173613-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413749 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with COPD or at risk for COPD who could benefit from improved understanding of disease mechanisms and new therapeutic targets.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without COPD may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project will combine large-scale genetic data with metabolomics to uncover how COPD develops at the molecular level. Researchers will extend the MetaboXcan approach to integrate genome-wide association results with metabolite information, aiming to reveal new biological pathways and potential drug targets. The study plans to use data from diverse populations to improve understanding of COPD across groups and to guide future therapies. Participation would involve analyzing existing samples and data, with the potential for additional studies if new targets emerge.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could identify new biomarkers and drug targets that lead to better treatments for COPD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous GWAS and metabolomics work have linked certain signals to COPD, and this study builds on that with an expanded tool (MetaboXcan).
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manichaikul, Ani Wang — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Manichaikul, Ani Wang
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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.