Identification of Molecular Signatures of Disease in Umbilical Cord Blood
Investigators
Sallie Permar, MD, PhD; Joanne Kurtzberg, MD; Kyle Walsh, PhD
Problem
Many common chronic diseases originate with exposures in the prenatal period.
Solution
Identify molecular signatures in cord blood that predict the development of disease in childhood/early adulthood.
We will link Carolinas Cord Blood Bank (CCBB) donors with their electronic health records in order to identify donors with different disease states. We will then use ‘omics approaches to identify molecular signatures associated with these disease states.
Impact
- Gain new insights into fetal origins of disease
- Develop new early life diagnostics and therapeutics
Initial questions
- Do immune cell populations in cord blood predict development of asthma and/or allergy?
- Do cord blood molecular signatures of children with type 1 diabetes suggest potential therapeutic strategies?
- Do maternal infections or environmental exposures increase the risk of developing autism?
| Disease |
Estimated number of |
|---|---|
| Childhood obesity | 7310 |
| Neurodevelopmental disorder | 6450 |
| Asthma | 3612 |
| Neonatal infection | 430 |
| Congenital heart disease | 400 |
| Childhood cancer | 150 |
| Type 1 diabetes | 142 |
