Cardiopulmonary Genomics

Dr. Stephen B. Liggett's laboratory has five major interrelated sections:

• The study of the molecular basis of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) structure and function, 
• Delineation and characterization of human genetic variants within this receptor signaling network,
• Association studies of genetic variants with heart and lung disease and their response to treatment (pharmacogenomics) to develop a platform for genetically-based personalized medicine,
• Genome sequencing of human rhinoviruses and functional interactions of virus and airway GPCRs relevant to asthma, and
• Creation of genetically modified mice to define the mechanisms of heart and lung disease and "humanized mice" to explore the effects of genetic variation of human genes.

These studies have lead to new paradigms in our understanding of how this superfamily of receptors (the largest in the human genome) carry out signaling, how they participate in the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure and asthma, and how a patient's genetic makeup can be used to tailor drug treatment. 

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