Indian American Scientist Wins $4M NIH Grant to Study Autoimmune Diseases

Mohan's team will track patients over the decade to pinpoint molecular and cellular changes that precede disease onset. The goal is to develop predictive biomarkers that could enable earlier diagnosis and intervention, potentially slowing or preventing the progression of conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

The grant underscores a growing focus on preventive approaches in autoimmune research. Mohan, who has published extensively on lupus and other rheumatic diseases, said the study's long timeframe is critical to capturing the subtle shifts in the immune system that occur years before symptoms appear.

The project will involve collaboration with clinical partners and use advanced genomic and proteomic tools to analyze patient samples. Findings could lead to new screening methods and targeted therapies for the millions of Americans affected by these chronic conditions.