Billions of people are exposed to high levels of air pollutants due to wildfires, open campfires, or by using wood stoves. Why are some people susceptible to these exposures while others are not? We are interested in identifying the susceptibility genes that drive disease due to such exposures and to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms to develop better remedies for controlling the ensuing exacerbations for patients with COPD and asthma and prevent decline in lung function.
