The Genetic Basis of Respiratory Diseases
Asthma, which affects about 100 million people globally, clearly runs in families. Likewise, although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (the fourth leading cause of death in the United States) is strongly linked to cigarette smoking, the effects of smoking seem especially harmful in about 10% to 15% of smokers for as yet unknown environmental or genetic reasons.
Because the effects of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are so daunting and widespread, researchers at the Arizona Respiratory Center are launching several studies of these diseases, some of which are listed below. They hope that, by studying the genetics of these two diseases, they will better understand how the diseases develop, how to diagnose them earlier, and how to treat or even cure them.
Chromosome 5q Gene Variants and Asthma-Related Traits
Principal Investigator:
Fernando Martinez, MD
Genetic Variations as Risk Factors for Acute Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Principal Investigator:
Theresa Guilbert, MD
Longitudinal Study of Asthma from Birth to Adulthood
Co-Principal Investigators:
Fernando Martinez, MD
Anne Wright, PhD
Assessment of Patterns of Mendelian Inheritance of Addiction to Cigarettes
Co-Principal Investigators:
Duane Sherrill, PhD
Catharine J. Holberg, PhD
Assessment of Genetic Markers Associated with Development of Chronic Airway Obstruction
Co-Principal Investigators:
Duane Sherrill, PhD
Catharine J. Holberg, PhD
Primary focus: Genetics |
