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Home - Science - Scientist Directory - Montgomery, Courtney Gray

Courtney Gray Montgomery, Ph.D.

Member
Genes & Human Disease Research Program

Lab Website

My 101

Genes determine your height, hair color and even, in some cases, whether or not you will get certain diseases. Much of what scientists know about human disease today has been learned from the study of genetics, and in my lab we focus on how genes can trigger the onset of disease, make disease worse or even why they express themselves differently in one person versus another. In particular, we study the roles genes play in auto-immune and auto-inflammatory diseases.

While I began my career in the field of cancer genetics, I never lost ties to the work I began as a graduate student in genetics of the immune system. I now direct the Sarcoidosis Research Unit and lead projects focused on understanding the genetic and environmental risk factors of sarcoidosis. This “medical mystery” occurs when small nodules called granulomas form in and around organs. Our goal is to better understand the risk factors of sarcoidosis so that we can better diagnose, treat and even prevent disease.

Research

My laboratory is focused on the identification of genes predisposing to complex diseases, particularly sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disorder that can affect any organ in the body.  It is characterized by growths called granulomas, much like those found in people with Tuberculosis. Patients can have granulomas in the liver, lymph glands, bone marrow, even the brain, but are most frequently diagnosed because of granulomas in the lungs. The disease can resolve on its own or can be chronic, leading to severe health problems. We know that sarcoidosis can run in families, but we also know that certain environmental exposures increase the risk of disease in certain people with a particular genetic background. For example, sarcoidosis is more prevalent in women and, in the United States, African Americans are both more commonly and more severely affected than Caucasians.

It is the goal of my laboratory to not only find the genes that make someone susceptible to disease but also to understand why the disease is worse in some patients compared to others.  Specifically, our studies have led the way in the genetics of sarcoidosis for over a decade and now focus on understanding how genes cause particular cells within the immune system to respond in such a way to make granulomas form.

We are so thankful to the patients that participate in our research clinics and share not only their time and participate in our studies, but also share their amazing stories with us!

Brief CV

Education
B.A. (honors), Oklahoma City University, 1995
M.S., University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 2000
Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, 2004

Honors and Awards
Outstanding Science Student Award, Oklahoma City University, 1995
Rhodes Scholar Semifinalist, Oxford University, 1995
2nd Place, College of Public Health Graduate Student Research Competition, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 1999
Graduate Student Association Award, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 2000
NHLBI trainee fellow, Case Western Reserve University Division of Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology, 2000-2002
Nominee for C.W. Cotterman Award, American Society of Human Genetics, 2001
Student of the Year Award, Case Western Reserve University Division of Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology, 2002-2003
J. Donald and Patricia Capra Award for Scientific Achievement, 2012

Other Activities
Editor, BMC Genetics, Genetic Analysis Workshop, 2004-2005, 2007
Reviewer, Human Heredity, 2005-present
Reviewer, Genes and Immunity, 2005-present
Reviewer, BioTechniques, 2005-present
Reviewer, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2006-present
Editorial Board Member, Open Genetics Journal, 2007-present
Reviewer, Annals of Human Genetics, 2007-present
Reviewer, Biometrical Journal, 2007-present

Memberships
Rare Disease Consortia for Neurosarcoidosis
Trans-omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Consortia, NHLBI, NIH
American Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Diseases - Executive Committee
American College of Rheumatology
American Thoracic Society
American Society of Human Genetics
International Genetic Epidemiology Society

Joined OMRF scientific staff in 2008

Publications

View more publications

Recent Publications

Joachims ML, Khatri B, Li C, Tessneer KL, Ice JA, Stolarczyk AM, Means N, Grundahl KM, Glenn SB, Kelly JA, Lewis DM, Radfar L, Stone DU, Guthridge JM, James JA, Scofield RH, Wiley GB, Wren JD, Gaffney PM, Montgomery CG, Sivils KL, Rasmussen A, Farris AD, Adrianto I, Lessard CJ. Dysregulated long non-coding RNA in Sjögren's disease impacts both interferon and adaptive immune responses. RMD Open 8, 2022 November, PMID: 36456101, PMCID: PMC9717416

Seplyarskiy VB, Soldatov RA, Koch E, McGinty RJ, Goldmann JM, Hernandez RD, Barnes K, Correa A, Burchard EG, Ellinor PT, McGarvey ST, Mitchell BD, Vasan RS, Redline S, Silverman E, Weiss ST, Arnett DK, Blangero J, Boerwinkle E, He J, Montgomery C, Rao DC, Rotter JI, Taylor KD, Brody JA, Chen YI, de Las Fuentes L, Hwu CM, Rich SS, Manichaikul AW, Mychaleckyj JC, Palmer ND, Smith JA, Kardia SLR, Peyser PA, Bielak LF, O'Connor TD, Emery LS, NHLBI Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Consortium, TOPMed Population Genetics Working Group, Gilissen C, Wong WSW, Kharchenko PV, Sunyaev S. Population sequencing data reveal a compendium of mutational processes in the human germ line. Science 373:1030-1035, 2021 August, PMID: 34385354, PMCID: PMC9217108

Bagavant H, Araszkiewicz AM, Rasmussen A, Pezant N, Montgomery C, Scofield RH, Farris D, Lessard CJ, Deshmukh US. Anti-vimentin antibodies are associated with higher severity of Sjögren's disease. Clin Immunol 247:109243, 1970 January, PMID: 36702181

Selected Publications

Garman L, Pelikan RC, Rasmussen A, Lareau CA, Savoy KA, Deshmukh US, Bagavant H, Levin AM, Daouk S, Drake WP, Montgomery CG. Single cell transcriptomics implicate novel T cell and monocyte immune dysregulation in sarcoidosis. Frontiers in Immunology. December 8 2020; 11:567342. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.567342. eCollection 2020. PMID 33363531. PMCID: PMC7753017

Taliun G, …Montgmery C, …, Abecasis G. Sequencing of 53,831 diverse genomes from the NHLBI TOPMed Program. Nature. February 11, 2021;590(7845):290-299. Doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03205-y. Epub 2021 Feb 10. PMID: 33568819, PMCID: PMC7875770

Pelikan R, Kelly JA, Fu Y,  Laraeu CA, Tessneer KL, Wiley GB, Wiley M, Glenn SB, HarleyJB, Guthridge JM, James JA, Aryee MJ, Montgomery CG, Gaffney PM. Enhancer histone-QTLs are enriched on autoimmune disease risk haplotypes and influence gene expression variability within chromatin networks.  Nature Communications, 2018. PMID: 30046115 PMCID: 6060153

Lareau CA, DeWeese CF, Adrianto I, Lessard CJ, Gaffney PM, Iannuzzi MC, Rybicki BA, Levin AM, Montgomery CG. Polygenic Risk Assessment Reveals Pleiotropy between Sarcoidosis and Inflammatory Disorders in the Context of Genetic ancestry. Genes Immun. 2017 Mar;18(2):88-94. PMID: 28275240, PMCID: PMC5407914

Bello GA, Adrianto I, Dumancas GD, Levin AM, Innauzzi MC, Rybicki BA, Montgomery C. Role of NOD2 pathway genes in sarcoidosis cases with clinical characteristics of Blau Syndrome. Am J of Resp Crit Care Med. 2015 Nov 1;192(9):1133-5. PMID: 26517420 PMCID: 5447311

Adrianto I, Lin CP, Hale JJ, Levin AM, Datta I, Parker R, Adler A, Kelly JA, Kaufman KM, Lessard CJ, Moser KL, Kimberly RP, Harley JB, Iannuzzi MC, Rybicki BA, Montgomery CG†. Genome-wide association study of African and European Americans implicates multiple shared and ethnic specific loci in sarcoidosis susceptibility. PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e43907. PMID: 22952805 PMCID: 3428296

 

Contact

Genes & Human Disease Research Program, MS 57
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
825 N.E. 13th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Phone: (405) 271-2468
Fax: (405) 271-2578
E-mail: Courtney-Montgomery@omrf.org

For media inquiries, please contact OMRF’s Office of Public Affairs at news@omrf.org.

Lab Staff

Astrid Rasmussen, Ph.D.
Research Associate Member

Chuang Li, Ph.D.
Bioinformatics Scientist

Melissa Bebak
Project Manager

Nathan Pezant
Senior Data Analyst

Abigail "Abby" Hardin
Data Analyst

Judy Harris
Lead Clinical Research Nurse

Sharon Johnson
Research Data Coordinator

Shelby Thompson
Administrative Assistant III

News from the Montgomery lab

Dr. Montgomery in the Media

News from the Montgomery lab

School’s Out
December 5, 2022

OMRF’s education programs enjoyed a record summer in 2022. For most students, summer means late nights, lake days and snooze buttons. But for those who spend the dog days in OMRF’s labs, it’s mice, pipettes and data analysis. Despite the obvious appeal of a lazy few months between semesters, in recent years, OMRF has seen […]

OMRF joins global research alliance for rare disease
October 10, 2022

Improving diagnosis of sarcoidosis is a top goal

Mom genes make up fabric of health
May 5, 2022

OMRF scientists celebrate a particular gift from mom this Mother’s Day.

OMRF contributes to nationwide genetics research
September 15, 2021

When a study participant donates a sample to OMRF scientist Dr. Courtney Montgomery’s Sarcoidosis Research Unit, they have the option of sharing their information with a database accessible to researchers nationwide.

COVID research could impact other projects, OMRF says
September 28, 2020

What kind of affect this will have fighting other diseases is tough to calculate now, but OMRF doctors said it will no doubt have an impact.

OMRF Says COVID Research Could Impact Other Projects
September 28, 2020

The potential life-saving advancements made in COVID research is extraordinarily important, but it’s coming at the expense of other research.

OMRF seeks volunteers for sarcoidosis research
September 22, 2020

To participate or for more information, please contact OMRF’s Sarcoidosis Research Unit at 405-271-2504, 800-605-7447 or sru@omrf.org.

2019 Annual Report: March April – A Rare Disease, A Life Transformed
August 4, 2020

“I hope that researchers can take what they learn from me and help somebody else.” Jamie Mangelinkx

Nonprofits hold STEM career event for girls
January 27, 2020

Women representing a variety of science, technology, engineering and math fields met face-to-face with the girls in small groups.

Four OMRF scientists receive promotions
June 5, 2019

OMRF has announced the promotion of four of its principal scientists.

OMRF launches new genetics research program
April 1, 2019

The new Genes and Human Disease Research Program will broaden OMRF’s investigation into genetic mechanisms in various diseases.

OMRF receives $3.2 million grant to study rare immune disease
March 19, 2019

A four-year grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute will help OMRF researcher Courtney Montgomery and her team determine the roles of specific immune cells associated with sarcoidosis.

OMRF recruiting volunteers for sarcoidosis research
October 11, 2018

OMRF’s Sarcoidosis Unit, which launched in January, is the only one of its kind in the state.

OMRF hosts 2018 Loyal Donors reception
May 15, 2018

OMRF officials brought more than 110 long-time donors together from across the state to celebrate their dedicated supporters at the annual Loyal Donor Society reception.

Lots o’ luck: How the shamrock gets its shape
March 12, 2018

Four-leaf clovers are said to represent good luck. They also represent something else: genetic mutation.

OMRF scientist selected for national sarcoidosis fellowship
January 8, 2018

This award is tailored to support scientists and doctors early in their careers studying and treating sarcoidosis.

OMRF seeks participants as it launches new sarcoidosis unit
November 16, 2017

The new clinic is the first of its kind in the state and the only one in the region.

AHA, OMRF host STEM event for teen girls
October 4, 2017

On Sunday, the AHA hosted a special STEM education program at OMRF.

Findings yield new clues to puzzling autoimmune disease
August 3, 2017

Sjögren’s syndrome may affect as many as 4 million Americans.

OMRF dedicates Sharon J. Bell Laboratory
November 2, 2016

Bell joined OMRF’s Board of Directors in 1988.

Scientists discover clues about cause of dryness in Sjögren’s syndrome
June 29, 2016

Findings may point researchers to the origins of this autoimmune disease

OMRF receives $1.1 million to continue study of rare immune condition
September 28, 2015

The additional funding will aid in better understanding the roots of sarcoidosis.

International coalition finds six new Sjögren’s syndrome genes
October 7, 2013

Researchers have exponentially increased their understanding of Sjögren’s genetics.

OMRF board member, scientists recognized at spring meeting
April 20, 2012

Xia, others honored for scientific achievements at ceremony

OMRF receives $4.4 million grant to study immune disease
April 10, 2012

Scientists hope to find the genetic roots of sarcoidosis

OMRF discovers three new lupus genes
March 29, 2012

The international study turns up new targets for lupus research

OMRF receives $7.8 million grant to create new center
August 2, 2011

Grant will fund the Sjögren’s Syndrome Center of Research Translation

OMRF links mutations to lupus
March 28, 2011

Altered proteins in a gene could “cuts the brakes” on the immune system.

OMRF discovery could lead to faster colon cancer diagnosis
September 19, 2010

Genes may help predict early-onset colon cancer occurrences.

Next generation of OMRF scientists brings major grants and innovation
July 6, 2010

Eight new scientists have secured $11.57 million in grants so far.

For high school teacher, cancer drive is part of the lesson plan
July 1, 2010

For teacher Denise Kimbrough, Bethany cancer drive for OMRF is personal.

OMRF ranks fourth among U.S. independent research institutes in Recovery Act funding
March 22, 2010

Of 91 research institutes receiving ARRA funds, OMRF near top

OMRF researchers receive $14.7 million in federal stimulus grant funding
October 5, 2009

The National Institutes of Health has awarded 17 grants worth a total of $14.7 million to OMRF. The grants are part of the $10 billion in economic stimulus funds that will be provided for medical research through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grants will fund OMRF research on a wide array […]

OMRF receives $26 million for two federal research grants
September 3, 2009

The National Institutes of Health has awarded two grants worth a total of $26.3 million to OMRF for research into anthrax and to help train new scientists. Each grant will allow scientists to continue research started in 2004 and 2005 and keep them working through 2014 on several interconnected projects. In the first project, a $14.5 […]

New lupus treatment shows promise
July 27, 2009

Researcher calls new drug “greatest thing in 50 years”

The Next Generation OMRF adds new scientists to spur growth, discovery
October 6, 2008

A new wave of researchers has joined the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation’s scientific staff as part of the foundation’s expansion. OMRF has added seven new scientists to its staff. In addition, two research assistants have been promoted to faculty-level positions. The new researchers have come to OMRF from a variety of institutions across the U.S. […]

A Name for his Pain
December 4, 2018

David Key had never heard of sarcoidosis—until the rare disease stole his health.

Dr. Montgomery in the Media

Business people: OMRF announces promotions
Oklahoman.com

Health briefs: Patients sought for sarcoidosis research
Oklahoman.com

Health notes: Grant will boost sarcoidosis research
NewsOk.com

New $3 million grant to OMRF to study rare disease
KFOR.com

OMRF receives grant to investigate rare disease
MuskogeePhoenix.com

$3.2 million grant to help OMRF continue work on rare immune disease
KFOR.com

OMRF receives $3.2 million grant for rare disease
JournalRecord.com

Oklahoma Health Notes: OMRF seeking volunteers
NewsOk.com

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