Current Projects & Grant Information
Current Projects
Epigenetic Regulation of Immune Pathways in Sarcoidosis
This research study aims to define the epigenetic marks and their impact on gene expression that result in the granulomatous lung disease, sarcoidosis, and two of the most common sarcoidosis phenotypes, progressive pulmonary disease and remitting disease. It will define pathogenic pathways and risk factors for sarcoidosis and two common phenotypes of disease, and have implications for similar immune mediated diseases. This study will provide data relevant to this class of agents as targets for therapy. Furthermore, the information gained from this proposal will shed light on the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and its phenotypes and on genome-exposure relationships. Learn more about this study.
Novel Integrative Approaches for Disease Phenotyping, Utilizing Radiomics in Sarcoidosis
This research study aims to develop reproducible radiographic phenotypes of pulmonary sarcoidosis and integrate radiographic data with clinical data, genetic variants and transcriptional signatures, redefining sarcoidosis biomarkers. Our long-term goal is to use these integrative phenotypes and corresponding analytic approaches to develop 1) new objective intermediate endpoints of disease progression and; 2) predictive models of disease progression to aid clinicians in clinical decision-making and researchers in trial design. Successful completion of this research will answer critical knowledge gaps as to how radiographic pulmonary abnormalities in sarcoidosis relate to clinical and genetic phenotypes and how to combine radiographic assessment, clinical and genetic/genomic data to identify distinct phenotypes of sarcoidosis. Ultimately, this proposal will establish new standardized phenotypes for following disease longitudinally and identifying groups on which to intervene.
Using Multi-Omics to Define Regulators and Drivers of Granulomatous Inflammation and Chronic Beryllium Disease
This research study aims to define cell-specific regulatory networks and key drivers of cellular response to beryllium (Be) that result in the granulomatous lung disease, chronic beryllium disease (CBD), at the site of organ involvement. By using an integrated cell-specific genomic approach in combination with functional validation of key drivers, we will enhance our understanding of the novel genes, regulatory pathways and networks, and molecular mechanisms involved in disease etiology, launching investigation of novel pathogenic mechanisms and drug targets for this and other granulomatous lung diseases in future studies.
Comprehensive Proteomic Classifier for the Molecular Characterization of Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
This research study aims to define factors that may explain why some people get sarcoidosis, while also identifying new proteins, genes, biomarkers and potential mechanisms important in the development of this and other similar diseases, as well as helping us understand their disease course. In partnership with the University of Minnesota, we will use bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and compare proteins in sarcoidosis patients with progressing and non-progressing disease and compare it with healthy controls and those with interstitial lung disease (ILD). At the end of this study, we will have defined genes, proteins and pathways associated with granuloma formation and progressive sarcoidosis, as well as a classifier of progression. This will lay the groundwork for future prognostic biomarker studies and define potential therapeutics and mechanistic pathways for study.
Epigenetic Regulation of Severe Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
This research study aims to define the epigenetic alterations of sarcoidosis, which in turn impact gene expression, and ultimately the risk of developing this devastating lung disease and its severe pulmonary phenotypes, focusing on progressive/fibrotic and progressive/non-fibrotic disease compared to non-progressive disease. The information gained from this project will 1) shed light on the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis, especially fibrotic sarcoidosis, and other exposure related non-infectious granulomatous diseases; 2) define biomarkers and pathways that may be targets for therapeutics in this and other granulomatous lung diseases and; 3) provide clinically relevant information regarding disease manifestation and or personalized approaches to prevent or treat disease and disease phenotypes and enable clinicians to identify and improve care for fibrotic sarcoidosis.
A Metabolomics approach to personalized treatment in Sarcoidosis
This study aims to identify people or populations who are most likely to respond to sarcoidosis treatments. The goal of the study is to explore the metabolomic profiling change (one of the most accurate measuring tools, in order to track/detect molecular causes of health issues) after starting methotrexate treatment by comparing the blood sample before and six months after the treatment.
Defining MicroRNA Biomarkers in Sarcoidosis
This study aims to identify microRNAs that can act as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in pulmonary sarcoidosis. The impact of the proposed research will be to improve the clinical management of sarcoidosis by 1) making diagnosis safer and more timely; 2) enabling clinicians to identify and improve care for progressive disease and; 3) supporting future research in sarcoidosis phenotyping and prognostic biomarkers. This project will support my pathway to becoming a clinician-scientist by building my skills in clinical care, cohort study design/methods, and genomic analyses/biomarker development of this exposure-induced lung disease.
Grant Support
NIH R01 HL140357
Epigenetic Regulation of Immune Pathways in Sarcoidosis
MPI, Lisa A. Maier
Total Award Period: 07/01/18 – 06/30/22
Goals: to define the epigenetic marks and their impact on gene expression that result in sarcoidosis, as well as progressive versus remitting disease in the lung
NIH R01 HL142049
Novel Integrative Approaches for Disease Phenotyping, Utilizing Radiomics in Sarcoidosis
MPI, Lisa A. Maier
Total Award Period: 04/01/19 – 03/31/23
Goals: to develop reproducible radiographic phenotypes of pulmonary sarcoidosis and integrate radiographic data with clinical data, genetic variants and transcriptional signatures, redefining sarcoidosis biomarkers
NIEHS ES033678
Using Multi-Omics to Define Regulators and Drivers of Granulomatous Inflammation and Chronic Beryllium Disease
MPI, Lisa A. Maier
Total Award Period: 02/09/2022 – 11/30/ 2026
Goals: to define cell-specific regulatory networks and key drivers of cellular response to beryllium (Be) that result in the granulomatous lung disease, chronic beryllium disease (CBD), at the site of organ involvement
The Ann Theodore Foundation Breakthrough Sarcoidosis Initiative
Epigenetic Regulation of Severe Pulmonary Sarcoidosis
MPI, Li Li, Lisa A. Maier
Total Award Period: 06/15/2022 – 06/15/2024
Goals: to define the epigenetic alterations of sarcoidosis, which in turn impact gene expression, and ultimately the risk of developing this devastating lung disease and its severe pulmonary phenotypes, focusing on progressive/fibrotic and progressive/non-fibrotic disease compared to non-progressive disease
Young Investigator Draft Grant, Uplifting Athletes
A Metabolomics approach to personalized treatment in Sarcoidosis
PI: Shu-Yi Liao
Total Award Period: 2/2022-1/2023
Goals: to more comprehensively assess sarcoidosis treatment (methotrexate) and pathways contributing to response using untargeted metabolomics to identify candidate predictive baseline biomarkers in our sarcoidosis cohort
Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research
Defining MicroRNA Biomarkers in Sarcoidosis
PI: Nancy Lin
Total Award Period: 08/01/22-07/30/24
Goals: to identify microRNAs that can act as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in pulmonary sarcoidosis