Pyrosequencing Core
Our Division played a leading role in launching the new Pyrosequencing Core Laboratory for Genomic and Epigenomic Research. This core lab, directed by Hong Ji, PhD, facilitates the study of epigenetic regulation mechanisms underlying normal development and disease pathogenesis. Equipped with a Qiagen PyroMark Q96 system, the core detects and quantifies genetic variation via DNA methylation by pyrosequencing. The core has begun working with several researchers at Cincinnati Children’s and UC. It also helps faculty write grant proposals, two of which have been funded so far.
Inner City Asthma Consortium
Cincinnati Children’s is one of 10 research centers to join the Inner City Asthma Consortium, the nation’s largest effort to study asthma in the inner city. Gurjit Khurana Hershey, MD, PhD, is principal investigator for the Cincinnati site. So far, Cincinnati Children's has been involved in three studies; examining a decrease in fall asthma exacerbations, understanding easy vs. difficult-to-treat asthma, and studying immunotherapy against exposure to German cockroach, the most common species infesting apartments and other urban buildings.
Cooperative Research Grant
Gurjit Khurana Hershey, MD, PhD, also is principal investigator of an NIH-funded Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Center (AADCRC), which focuses on characterizing epithelial genes in allergic diseases. Hershey also serves on the AADCRC steering committee. Epithelial cell genes play a central role in allergic disorders. The Center’s work will provide a basis for developing new therapies aimed at epithelial surfaces in the lung (asthma), on skin (atopic dermatitis), or in the gut (food allergy or eosinophilic esophagitis).
