1. Hispanic, compared to non-Hispanic white ethnicity is associated with reduced COPD risk and reduced decline in pulmonary function.
2. Wood smoke exposure increases the risk of reduced lung function in cigarette smokers.  Based on these clinical findings, the role of wood smoke is being evaluated in detail in population-based studies, in animal models, and in cell and organ culture systems to identify the mechanisms involved.
3. A prospective study is ongoing to identify biomarkers within sputum that could predict lung cancer development in COPD patients.  Therefore, the association of epigenetic changes in sputum with COPD and how these changes link to lung cancer are being investigated.
4. A study is ongoing to identify biomarkers within plasma of cigarette smokers that may predict rapid decline in lung function.
5. The efficacy of known drugs is tested by screening large COPD databases.

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