Identifying microRNA expression profiles and biomarkers in peripheral whole blood in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada and may affect up to as many as 3 million Canadians. However, due to inadequate diagnostic tools, 50% remain undiagnosed. Furthermore, COPD patients also suffer attacks, or exacerbations, which can hospitalise the patient, worsen their condition and take weeks to recover from. Exacerbations are difficult to predict and it is even harder to identify which patients are more susceptible to repeated attacks. I will investigate a group of small molecules, microRNAs, in patient blood, in order to identify which specific miRNAs are associated with COPD exacerabations and to identify whith patients are more susceptible to repeated exacerbations. Ultimately these findings will allow researchers a better insight into the mechanisms of COPD exacerbations, which in turn will lead to improved predictive and diagnostic tools and allow doctors to tailor patient management and reduce future lung attacks.

Faculty Supervisor:

Scott Tebbutt

Student:

Partner:

St Paul's Hospital

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: