A Collaborative Effort

Together we are changing the course of lung disease research

The LGRC is collecting data on lung disease on an unprecedented level. Because of the complexity of the process, our work calls for a highly talented and specialized team of scientists with expertise in the fields of genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics.

But the LGRC is not working in isolation; we are part of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s broader efforts to combat lung disease. We are also partnering with the Lung Tissue Research Consortium (LTRC), a biological specimen bank (biorepository) that has collected and is storing the 1,300 tissue samples so generously donated by patients with lung disease. The LTRC’s vast library of patient information—age, gender, ethnicity, and smoking status, among other data—will ensure that what we learn about disease isn’t limited to any single group.

Helping researchers find answers

Building on the outstanding work of the LTRC, our project features a novel research approach: tackling lung disease by combining genomic and clinical data to arrive at a more complete picture of disease than was previously possible. To further accelerate research, we are using all the data and information we collect to create a powerful database for use by the entire lung research community. This resource will open up new opportunities for understanding the nature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease (ILD), and other chronic lung diseases.