About Dr. Donlin
Dr. Laura Donlin aims to deepen our understanding of autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders by uncovering molecular patterns found within patient samples. The goal of this work is to create personalized treatment strategies based on patient-specific molecular signatures.
Working closely with HSS rheumatologists and surgeons, Dr. Donlin analyzes patient samples with cutting-edge molecular techniques such as next-generation sequencing. Combining these functional genomics analyses with drug response assays, Dr. Donlin looks to understand how the cellular and molecular profiles found within patient samples relate to treatment responses. Dr. Donlin and colleagues also use cell culture models to study how cells co-evolve during chronic inflammatory responses, with the intent of identifying novel therapeutic targets for autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Research
The Donlin laboratory aims to increase understanding of the human immune system by analyzing patient samples with high-dimensional molecular technologies. Our projects are designed around clinical unmet needs of patients with autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders.
We have projects focused on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an arthritis condition that results from immune checkpoint inhibitors that are used to treat cancer, as well as myositis, prosthetic joint infections and synovial tumors. Further, our multidisciplinary teams participate in the NIH-industry sponsored Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) consortium that aims to identify novel drug targets in conditions such as RA, as well as the NIH Impact of Genomic Variation on Function (IGVF) consortium that examines how genetic and epigenetic differences impact human disease.
Through these collaborative projects, we aim to improve medical practice through basic science rigor and molecular-focused assays.
Research Interests
- Autoimmune diseases (eg. rheumatoid arthritis)
- Human immunology
- Molecular biology
Specialized Centers
Inflammatory Arthritis Center
Integrative Rheumatology and Orthopedics Center
Precision Medicine Laboratory
Credentials
Appointments
Co-Director, HSS Precision Medicine Program
Principal Investigator, HSS Research Institute
Associate Professor, Weill Cornell Medical School and Graduate School
Education
PhD, Columbia University, New York, NY
Postdoctoral Training, Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Languages
English
Publications by Dr. Donlin
Selected Journal Articles
HBEGF+ macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis induce fibroblast invasiveness
Science Translational Medicine. 2019. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aau8587.
Kuo D, J Ding, I Cohn, F Zhang, K Wei, D Rao, C Rozo, UK Sokhi, S Shanaj, Oliver DJ, Echeverria A, EF DiCarlo, MB Brenner, VP Bykerk, SM Goodman, S Raychaudhuri, G Rätsch, LB Ivashkiv, LT Donlin.
Defining Inflammatory Cell States in Rheumatoid Arthritis Joint Synovial Tissues by Integrating Single-cell Transcriptomics and Mass Cytometry
Nature Immunology. 2019. doi: 10.1038/s41590-019-0378-1.
Zhang F, K Wei, K Slowikowski, CY Fonseka, DA Rao, S Kelly, SM Goodman, ... , AMP RA/SLE Consortium, … , LT Donlin, JH Anolik, MB Brenner, S Raychaudhuri.
Inching closer to precision treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
Nature Medicine. 2022. doi: 10.1038/s41591-022-01857-5.
Donlin LT.
Sequencing of Circulating Microbial Cell-Free DNA Can Identify Pathogens in Periprosthetic Joint Infections
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2021. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.20.02229.
Echeverria AP, IS Cohn, DC Danko, S Shanaj, L Blair, D Hollemon, AV Carli, PK Sculco, C Ho, G Meshulam-Simon, C Mironenko, LB Ivashkiv, SM Goodman, A Grizas, GH Westrich, DE Padgett, MP Figgie, MP Bostrom, TP Sculco, DK Hong, MS Hepinstall, TW Bauer, TA Blauwkamp, BD Brause, AO Miller, MW Henry, AA Ahmed, MB Cross, CE Mason, LT Donlin.
For more publications, please see the PubMed listing
For more publications, please see the PubMed listing.
Industry Relationships
Industry Relationships
HSS has a long history of supporting appropriate relationships with industry because they advance HSS's mission to provide the highest quality patient care, improve patient mobility, and enhance the quality of life for all, and to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and their related disciplines through research and education.
Below are the healthcare industry relationships reported by Dr. Donlin as of March 28, 2023.
- American College of Rheumatology (ACR) - Honoraria
- American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/Wiley for Chinese Rheumatology - Honoraria
HSS and its physicians make this information available to patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy prohibits physicians from collecting royalties on products they develop that are used on patients at HSS.
Patients should feel free to ask their HSS physicians questions about these relationships.