Understanding how vaping and smoking affect the body differently
Official title: Differentiating the biological effects of vaping from smoking by analyzing the methylome and transcriptome
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11086089 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how vaping and smoking affect your DNA and gene activity in healthy adults, so we can better understand the health risks of both habits and find new ways to measure their impact.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $397,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE031863-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086089 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are healthy adults aged 21 and older who either vape, smoke, or do not use either product.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use e-cigarettes or cigarettes and are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the biological effects of vaping compared to smoking by analyzing changes in DNA and gene activity in healthy adults who use e-cigarettes or cigarettes. The study will measure these changes in cells and tissues to identify how the intensity and duration of use, as well as the type of products, influence health risks. By comparing users to non-users, the research aims to uncover new biomarkers that can help assess the health implications of vaping versus smoking.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide critical insights into the health risks associated with vaping and smoking, potentially leading to better public health recommendations.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on the effects of smoking, this specific approach to differentiate vaping from smoking through epigenetic analysis is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Besaratinia, Ahmad — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Besaratinia, Ahmad
Related research
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Differentiating vaping from smoking through epigenetic and transcriptomic markers
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This grant looks at how daily social stress affects if and when disadvantaged young adults who smoke can quit and stay quit.
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.