Understanding the causes of gout flares through blood and joint cell analysis.
Official title: Revealing novel mechanisms of gout flares by transcriptional phenotyping synovial and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10995564 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how your genes and immune system work during gout flares by collecting blood and joint fluid samples from people like you, to help find out what triggers the pain and swelling.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $317,476 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR084827-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995564 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with gout who experience recurrent flares.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a diagnosis of gout or those who do not experience gout flares may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the genetic and molecular mechanisms behind gout flares by analyzing blood and joint fluid samples from patients. It focuses on comparing gene expression in immune cells during active gout flares to identify potential triggers and pathways involved in inflammation. Participants will be involved in a clinical trial that requires consent for sample collection during flare episodes, allowing researchers to gather critical data on how gout affects the body at a cellular level.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and management of gout flares, potentially improving treatment options for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, similar studies have shown promise in understanding inflammatory conditions through gene expression analysis.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merriman, Tony R — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Merriman, Tony R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Treat-to-Target Urate in Gout: A New Approach for Better Pain and Health
A large clinical trial tests whether aiming for a specific uric acid level in gout patients improves symptoms and health outcomes compared with avoiding symptoms.
-
Translational Genomics in Gout: Linking GWAS Signals to Mechanisms
Aims to understand why some people with high uric acid develop gout by connecting genetic clues to the biology of joint inflammation.
-
Genetic clues to gout flares through cell gene activity in blood and joint fluid
Researchers will study how genes turn on or off in immune cells from blood and joint fluid during gout flares to understand why flares happen.
-
Uric acid skin sensor to guide gout treatment and diet
A skin patch that measures uric acid in sweat is being tested to help people with gout manage their diet and medications better.
-
Wearable skin patch that tracks uric acid and metabolites for people with gout
A wearable skin patch will measure uric acid and other metabolites around meals to help people with gout make better diet and medication choices.
-
Gout and Kidney Disease: How gout changes as kidney disease gets worse and after kidney transplant
This project follows people with gout as their kidney disease progresses toward dialysis or transplant, using national kidney data to understand how often gout flares happen and how care needs change.
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.