The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has awarded Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) a Specialized Centers of Interdisciplinary Research grant of $14.2 million for genetic research into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the nation's fourth leading cause of death.

The award coincided with the institute's launch of a public outreach campaign, "COPD Learn More Breathe Better," Jan.17 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., where Weill Cornell's Dr. Ronald Crystal discussed the future of COPD research and treatment, including genetic medicine.

"In the next 10 years, genetic research will allow us to revolutionize the prevention and treatment of COPD. We will be able to predict those individuals who are at increased risk … and offer early detection prior to development of symptoms and individualized therapies for those with the disease," said Crystal, chairman of the Department of Genetic Medicine and the Bruce Webster Professor of Internal Medicine at WCMC. "Our first step will be to identify the specific genes responsible for susceptibility and resistance to COPD."

While smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD, genetic variation accounts for the range of risk for developing the disease. "Genetic variability is why a one-pack-a-day smoker develops COPD, while another person with the same habit never does," Crystal said, noting that genetic research in COPD will open the door for developing new drugs and prevention strategies in genetically susceptible individuals.

More than 12 million American adults have been diagnosed with COPD, and experts estimate that another 12 million have undiagnosed cases. The disease, a leading cause of disability in the United States, comprises chronic bronchitis and emphysema -- both characterized by obstruction to airflow that interferes with normal breathing.

The COPD Learn More Breathe Better campaign, which will roll out throughout 2007, includes print and radio public service announcements (PSAs). The PSAs are supplemented with fact sheets for patients and those at risk, a fact card for health-care professionals, a Web site, an educational video and materials to help community-level organizations educate the public about the signs and symptoms of COPD.

Genetic medicine is a major focus of Weill Cornell's $1 billion capital campaign, "Discoveries That Make a Difference," launched in October 2006.