# Multi-Omic Endotyping of Asthma

> **NIH NIH K01** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 2021 · $178,200

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Rachel Kelly, PhD, MPH is a molecular epidemiologist with a focus on the metabolomics of respiratory
diseases, whose overarching career goal is to become an independent researcher with the skills set to utilize
integrative omic techniques for the improved biological understanding and clinical management of asthma; one
of the most common chronic disorders in both adults and children worldwide. The proposed research combines
her extensive experience in metabolomics with training in Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), advanced
integrative omic methods and statistics, in order to address the issue of the heterogeneous nature of asthma,
which can lead to suboptimal management strategies in certain subgroups of asthmatic individuals. Evidence
suggests there are multiple asthma endotypes, with distinct functional and/or pathobiological mechanisms. The
hypothesis of this proposal is that asthma endotypes are best defined based on underlying omic
profiles; which provide crucial insights into underlying disease mechanisms, rather than on clinical
characteristics. This will be explored by leveraging existing data on 620 children with asthma from the
Childhood Asthma Management Program through (aim1) utilizing clustering techniques to subset
individuals with asthma into distinct omic-based endotypes (metabolic, transcriptomic and multi-omic)
(aim2) interrogating the clinical features and genetic drivers of the omic endotypes; and (aim3)
validating the findings in an independent population of children with asthma (the Genetic Epidemiology
of Asthma in Costa Rica Study). The innovative research plan, which utilizes novel methodologies and both
targeted and untargeted approaches, will represent the first study to integrate WGS, transcriptomics and
metabolomics in the exploration of asthma. It is accompanied by a training and research plan, which will
provide Dr. Kelly with the skills to complete the research aims, as well as the experience to transition to
independence and to submit multiple R01s expanding upon the concept of asthma endotypes as a move
toward precision medicine. In particular Dr. Kelly has four career goals which build upon her existing
reputation in asthma metabolomics to; (1) expand her integrative omics-skills set; (2) strengthen her
knowledge of genetics and genomics; (3) gain experience and expertise in the handling; processing;
quality control, analysis and interpretation of WGS data; (4) gain a thorough understanding of the
clinical phenotyping of asthma; and (5) deepen her understanding of study design, mentoring and the
ethics of scientific research. She is supported by a diverse mentoring team, with complementary skillsets
and long successful mentoring careers which, together with her experience and training, guarantee the
success of this proposal. The findings will pave the way for the development of biomarkers, targeted
therapeutics and personalized approaches, while exploring a novel methodology to address one of the mos...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10146469
- **Project number:** 5K01HL146980-03
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Rachel Sabine Kelly
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $178,200
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10146469

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10146469, Multi-Omic Endotyping of Asthma (5K01HL146980-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10146469. Licensed CC0.

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