Research Interests
Research in the Bick Lab focuses on the dynamic genome, exploring how various factors influence genomic variability over time. A key area of interest is telomere length, which plays a critical role in cellular aging and cancer. Additionally, the lab studies the role of mitochondria in genomic dynamics. Mitochondria, known as the powerhouses of the cell, have their own DNA, and mutations in mitochondrial DNA can impact cellular metabolism and contribute to age-related diseases. Another major focus of the lab is the epigenome, which encompasses all the chemical modifications to DNA and histones that regulate gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. The lab examines how epigenetic changes influence genomic variability in ways that affect health and disease. Through a combination of molecular biology, genetics, and computational approaches, the Bick Lab aims to elucidate the complex interactions between these elements and their collective impact on the dynamic genome.
Another major area of interest is clonal hematopoiesis, a condition in which hematopoietic stem cells acquire mutations that confer a fitness advantage on their progeny cells, leading to clonal expansion of cells in that lineage. Clonal hematopoiesis is common in the elderly and is associated with increased risk of many complex diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. The Bick Lab applies multiple approaches to the investigation of clonal hematopoiesis and its relationship to disease.
Population genetics:
The Bick Lab employs large-scale biobanks such as BioVU, All of Us, UK Biobank, and NHLBI TOPMed to investigate how germline and somatic genetic variations influence disease risk. By analyzing large-scale genetic data from diverse populations, we aim to identify genetic factors that contribute to clonal hematopoiesis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, and point toward personalized therapies for these conditions.
Long-term longitudinal analysis of 4,187 participants reveals insights into determinants of clonal hematopoiesis. Uddin MM, Saadatagah S, Niroula A, Yu B … Bick AG, et al. Nat Commun. 2024 Sep 9;15(1):7858.
Genetic determinants and phenotypic consequences of blood T-cell proportions in 207,000 diverse individuals. Poisner H, Faucon A, Cox N, Bick AG. Nat Commun. 2024 Aug 7;15(1):6732.
scDNA mosaicism:
Mutations are not just inherited from your parents! They can also arise spontaneously within your body. Somatic DNA mosaicism refers to the presence of genetically distinct cells within an individual. The Bick Lab uses cutting edge single-cell DNA sequencing (scDNA-seq) techniques to investigate how somatic mutations arise, their prevalence, and their potential roles in conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and aging-related disorders. In the Bick Lab, we believe improved understanding of somatic mutations and their consequences will provide insights into disease mechanisms and may help to identify potential therapeutic targets.
Multiomic profiling of human clonal hematopoiesis reveals genotype and cell-specific inflammatory pathway activation. Heimlich JB, Bhat P, Parker AC, Jenkins MT … Bick AG, Ferrell PB. Blood Adv. 2024 Jul 23;8(14):3665-3678.
scRNA-seq:
The Bick Lab utilizes single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to study gene expression at the individual cell level. This advanced technology allows researchers to examine how genes are turned on or off in thousands of individual cells, providing a detailed picture of cellular function and diversity. The Bick Lab applies scRNA-seq to understand how different cell types contribute to conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and age-related disorders. By identifying specific gene expression patterns in individual cells, we aim to uncover new insights into disease mechanisms and discover potential targets for innovative treatments for clonal hematopoiesis and related conditions.
Myeloid-Specific JAK2 Contributes to Inflammation and Salt Sensitivity of Blood Pressure. Saleem M, Aden LA, Mutchler AL, Basu C … Bick AG, Kleyman TR, Kirabo A. Circ Res. 2024 Oct 11;135(9):890-909.
Blood DNA virome associates with autoimmune diseases and COVID-19. Sasa N, Kojima S, Koide R … Poisner HM, Mack TM, Bick AG, et al. Nat Genet. 2025 Jan;57(1):65-79.
Epigenetics:
Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression that occur apart from alterations in the DNA sequence itself. Clonal hematopoiesis usually arises from mutations affecting enzymes that play a role in epigenetic regulation. The Bick Lab is investigating how epigenetic markers can predict disease development in individuals with clonal hematopoiesis, which may guide the development of therapies targeting these epigenetic changes.
Methylation sequencing enhances interpretation of clonal hematopoiesis dynamics. Parker AC, Van Amburg J, Heimlich JB, Pershad Y, Mickels NA, Mack T, Ferrell PB Jr, Savona MR, Jones A, Bick AG. Blood. 2024 Nov 20:blood.2024026555.
Epigenetic and proteomic signatures associate with clonal hematopoiesis expansion rate. Mack TM, Raddatz MA, Pershad Y, Nachun DC … Bick AG. Nat Aging. 2024 Aug;4(8):1043-1052.