Advancing Precision Medicine: Our Research Themes

Dr. Vujković’s lab is at the forefront of genomics and precision medicine, striving to translate big-data discoveries into real-world health solutions. We harness large-scale genomic and electronic health record data to uncover the genetic basis of cardiometabolic and liver diseases and to find new treatment opportunities. Our research is driven by innovation and impact – each project aims to improve patient care through personalized strategies. Below, we outline our four core research themes, each reflecting our commitment to precision medicine, scientific innovation, and meaningful health impact.

Drug Repurposing

Finding new uses for existing drugs to treat diseases more quickly and cost-effectively

Instead of developing treatments from scratch, we identify approved medications that could be “repurposed” to treat other conditions by using genetic insights as a guide.

Our lab has developed a genomics-informed pharmaco-epidemiologic program focused on drug repurposing in cardiometabolic and liver diseases. By analyzing genetic data, we pinpoint biological pathways and targets involved in diseases like metabolic liver disease and type 2 diabetes. If a known drug affects one of these genetic targets, it might be a promising therapy for a new indication. This approach is both economically and time efficient for improving treatments. For example, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has no approved medication, so we use genetic findings to highlight “druggable” genes – existing drugs acting on those genes could be redirected to help NAFLD patients. In a recent study, our team integrated genomic signals with biological data (such as gene expression and protein modeling) to discover novel therapeutic targets for metabolic liver disease. Through this innovative strategy, we aim to accelerate the development of new treatments by giving old drugs new purpose, ultimately bringing effective therapies to patients faster.

Genetic Discovery

Unraveling the genetic factors that contribute to complex diseases

We leverage large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and other genomic analyses to find DNA variants and genes linked to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and liver disease.

As an early investigator in the VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP), Dr. Vujković leads large-scale studies to define the genetic underpinnings of cardiometabolic outcomes, including diabetes and metabolic liver disease. By studying hundreds of thousands to millions of individuals of diverse ancestry, our lab identifies genetic risk factors that were previously unknown. For instance, in a groundbreaking multi-ancestry MVP study, we discovered 77 genomic locations associated with NAFLD risk (with 25 of these being new discoveries. This was the first time so many genetic factors for NAFLD had been identified, as earlier research with smaller, less diverse samples had only found a few. We have also participated in global consortia unearthing hundreds of risk loci for type 2 diabetes, shedding light on the biology of this disease. These genetic discoveries deepen our understanding of how and why these diseases develop, pointing to biological pathways that could be targeted for treatment or prevention. Ultimately, the knowledge gained in this research theme forms the foundation for precision medicine – by knowing the genetic makeup of diseases, we can develop more targeted interventions and improve health outcomes.

Risk Prediction Using Genetic Risk Scores

Predicting individuals’ risk for disease by using their genetic information

We construct polygenic risk scores (PRS) – these are scores that sum up the effects of many genetic variants into a single measure of genetic predisposition. The goal is to identify people at high risk for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or liver disease before symptoms appear, enabling earlier or tailored interventions.

Our lab is translating genomic discoveries into tools that clinicians can use. By combining the numerous genetic risk factors identified in our studies, we create predictive models for disease. For example, the genetic findings from our NAFLD research can be used to build a genetic risk score that predicts who is more likely to develop fatty liver disease. Such a model would analyze a person’s DNA and calculate a score reflective of their inherited risk for NAFLD. We are similarly interested in genetic risk scores for other cardiometabolic conditions, often in collaboration with large biobanks. Importantly, we test and refine these scores using data from diverse populations (such as the MVP cohort and electronic health records) to ensure they are accurate and applicable to individuals of different backgrounds. Ultimately, genetic risk scores could be used alongside traditional risk factors (like age, diet, and family history) in the clinic. A high score might prompt earlier screening or preventive measures, whereas a low score could spare someone unnecessary interventions. By stratifying patients based on their genetic risk, we move toward truly personalized medicine, where prevention and treatment plans are tailored to an individual’s genetic profile. This research theme exemplifies our commitment to precision health: using cutting-edge genomics to keep people healthier through prediction and proactive care.

Military Exposures and Veteran Health

Understanding how military service and environmental exposures shape long-term health, especially through the lens of biological aging

Our lab leverages the multi-omics power of the Million Veteran Program (MVP) to explore whether hazards encountered during military service accelerate cellular aging and contribute to later-life disease risk.

We examine several primary markers of biological aging that include mitochondrial DNA copy number, leukocyte telomere length, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), and epigenetic age based from DNA methylation profiles.

By integrating environmental, genomic, and immune data, this work aims to reveal how military experiences may accelerate the aging process—and identify which Veterans may be most vulnerable. The ultimate goal is to inform precision prevention and intervention strategies tailored to a Veteran’s exposures, ancestry, and genetic profile. Our work in this area is deeply inspired by the Veterans themselves: their altruistic participation in research fuels discoveries that can improve health care for other Veterans and the general public. By focusing on military exposures and Veteran health, we not only honor Veterans’ contributions but also learn lessons about human health that benefit society as a whole.