Functional Genomics for Precision Medicine in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Scleroderma

Moderator(s)

• 

  Laura Donlin, PhD

  Hospital for Special Surgery

Speaker(s)

• 

  Christopher Buckley, PhD, FRCP

  University of Birmingham
• 

  Deborah Winter, PhD

  Northwestern University Division of Rheumatology

Functional genomics describes the process of integrating genomic DNA sequencing data with other types of genome-scale data to elucidate the effects of genes, proteins and genetic variation. This is undertaken by analyzing the results of genome-scale DNA sequencing in the context of other types of genomic sequencing, such as the sequencing of RNA or chromatin, in populations of purified cells or single cells, to inform clinical decision-making. This approach is particularly valuable in the research of rheumatic diseases, where the development of diseases depends on environmental contributions in the setting of genetic risk factors. The goal of this session is to provide an overview of ongoing research in the rapidly expanding field of functional genomics, with a specific emphasis on potential applications to precision medicine.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe recent studies in rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma using functional genomic approaches to study disease
• Explain the various types of functional genomic data that may be obtained from patients
• Evaluate the quality of functional genomics data and determine its relevance to clinical decision-making

Presentations:

• 10:00 AM – 10:20 AM ET

  Functional Genomics in RA: Implications of the Human Cell Atlas for Targeting Fibroblasts
  Christopher Buckley, PhD, FRCP – University of Birmingham
• 10:20 AM – 10:40 AM ET

  Functional Genomics in Scleroderma: Focus on the Macrophage
  Deborah R. Winter, PhD – Northwestern University Division of Rheumatology
• 10:40 AM – 11:00 AM ET

  Q&A