# Determinants of Myeloid Clonal Evolution

> **NIH NIH K08** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $171,720

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
Clonal hematopoiesis is acquired with aging, and in some cases, precedes the onset of both myelodysplastic
and myeloproliferative disorders. However, the genetic drivers that underlie the evolution of clonal
hematopoiesis and the subsequent disease risk remain poorly understood. This proposal builds on generated
evidence showing that telomere length, a genetic and clinically available biomarker, predisposes to clonal
hematopoiesis in Mendelian syndromes. We have also found evidence for distinct clonal hematopoiesis
mutations that appear to differentially predispose to hypoplastic and myeloproliferative phenotypes. In this
application, we will examine the role of telomere length in driving clonal evolution with aging in well-
characterized cohorts including a Baltimore-based cohort of community-based women with a large African
American subset. Additionally, we will also examine the onset and prevalence of a novel clonal hematopoiesis
mutation in the telomerase reverse transcriptase gene that appears to be protective against myeloid
malignancies. This K08 grant application is supported by outstanding mentors and in a strong translational
environment at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine with a detailed mentorship and training plan that
focuses on genetic epidemiology and computational biology skills. The knowledge has the potential to impact
current paradigms related to hematopoietic aging, myeloid clonal disease risk as well as novel biomarkers of
specific disease risk and progression.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10760293
- **Project number:** 5K08HL163468-02
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Kristen E Schratz
- **Activity code:** K08 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $171,720
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-01-05 → 2027-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10760293

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10760293, Determinants of Myeloid Clonal Evolution (5K08HL163468-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10760293. Licensed CC0.

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