# Pediatric Autoimmune Consortium for Exposome Research (PACER)

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2023 · $451,938

## Abstract

Project Summary
While autoimmune disease (AID) occurs across the lifespan, the earliest signs of many AID can first be seen in
children and adolescents. Early onset of disease can be associated with more aggressive course and the risk of
complications accumulate over time. Despite diversity amongst disease entities in terms of tissues affected and
risk factors for occurrence, it is striking to note important common themes in pathogenic factors, from overlap in
risk genes to potential environmental triggers. The overall rising incidence of autoimmune diseases suggests
ongoing enviromenal changes which impact risk. Understanding the impact of modifiable exposures on disease
pathogenesis has the potential to inform targeted interventions that could slow or prevent the development and
progression of these diseases in children and later adulthood.
We propose to develop a new, first-of-its-kind transdisplinary research team to developing the
infrasturcure needed to for a future large scale study on the role of the exposome in childhood AID. Our
overarching goals are to: 1) establish collaborative partnerships to leverage existing cohorts and resources; 2)
develop a multidomain, multilevel approach to comprehensively examine the role of the exposome on AID
pathways; and 3) develop novel strategies for integrating environmental factors and genetic data using cutting-
edge data science methodologies to investigate the development and progression of childhood AID. Our specific
aims are:
Aim 1: To establish a multidisciplinary research team and develop collaborative partnerships for studying the
exposome in childhood AID by (1A) developing a transdisciplinary consortium across existing studies of
childhood AID); (1B) conducting a landscape analysis of relevant existing resources; and (1C) organizing two
multiday workshops to develop and expand existing research and collaborations.
Aim 2: Explore strategies to address the multidomain, multilevel approach needed to comprehensively measure
the exposome and assess constructs to evaluate their effect on disease pathways in children with AID by (2A)
conducting a comprehensive analysis of existing methods for measuring and analyzing the early-life exposome
(2B) develop and expand data science methods for integrating multiple data types to identify precise risk profiles,
and (2C) demonstrate the utility of these approaches by generating pilot analysis in existing data.
Aim 3: Develop and implement research infrastructure to support the future EXACT effort.
IMPACT: The proposed research activities will lay the foundations for future large scale national,
interdisciplinary, collaborative research network focused on performing groundbreaking research in childhood
AID.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10871577
- **Project number:** 1R21AR084040-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** VAIA LIDA CHATZI
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $451,938
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-09-22 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10871577

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10871577, Pediatric Autoimmune Consortium for Exposome Research (PACER) (1R21AR084040-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10871577. Licensed CC0.

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