Dr. Cogan's lab has studied the molecular basis of genetic disorders for over 28 years examining the causes of disease in a variety of conditions including isolated growth hormone deficiency, combined pituitary hormone deficiency, heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension, and familial interstitial pneumonia. Her current studies are focused on patient's with undiagnosed diseases and families with interstitial pneumonia. As part of the Vanderbilt Clinical Undiagnosed Disease Network Site (VCUD) her lab uses whole genome sequencing analysis and other molecular techniques to identify the molecular cause of disease in patients and families that have previously gone undiagnosed. In some cases new phenotypes are characterized or disease-causing genes are identified. The Cogan's lab is also investigating the genetic basis of interstitial pneumonia in families using telomere measurements and whole exome/genome sequencing analysis. The laboratory's research emphasis here is on telomere maintenance with 40% of the families having very short telomeres.

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