Lauren Jeffries, DO
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Associate Research Scientist in Pediatrics (Critical Care Medicine)
Biography
Lauren Jeffries, DO is a pediatrician and medical geneticist working with the Pediatric Genomics Discovery Program at YaleMedicine. She completed training in pediatrics in 2015 and in genetics in 2017, and has enjoyed clinical aspects of work in gene discovery since then. She has specific interests in physical anomalies, birth defects, and inherited undiagnosed medical problems.
Appointments
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
Associate Research ScientistPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
- Pediatric Genomics Discovery Program (PGDP)
- Pediatrics
- Yale Medicine
Education & Training
- Medical Genetics Residency
- Yale University (2017)
- Pediatric Residency
- University of Connecticut (2015)
- DO
- Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine (2012)
Research
Overview
My research has focused on providing the clinical perspective of novel and emerging genetic diagnoses. I have been involved in publishing reports of genetic diagnoses that had not previously been discovered, as well as diagnoses that are only beginning to be described where additional reports of additional affected individuals and their variants can help shape the landscape of what is understood regarding a gene and the spectrum of illness(es) it may be associated with.
Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Saquib A. Lakhani, MD
Weizhen Ji, PhD, FACMG
Monica Konstantino, RN
Michele Spencer-Manzon, MD
Engin Deniz, MD
Mustafa Khokha, MD
Publications
2024
Unraveling the genetic tapestry of pediatric sarcomeric cardiomyopathies and masquerading phenocopies in Jordan
Azab B, Aburizeg D, Shaaban S, Ji W, Mustafa L, Isbeih N, Al-Akily A, Mohammad H, Jeffries L, Khokha M, Lakhani S, Al-Ammouri I. Unraveling the genetic tapestry of pediatric sarcomeric cardiomyopathies and masquerading phenocopies in Jordan. Scientific Reports 2024, 14: 15141. PMID: 38956129, PMCID: PMC11219879, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64921-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsExome sequencingSarcomere-related genesMitochondrial-related diseasesAt-risk family membersGenetic architectureGenetic landscapePathogenic variantsGene panelPediatric cardiomyopathyMolecular underpinningsGenetic testingPhenocopiesSarcomeric cardiomyopathiesGenesSequenceStorage disorderFamily membersAt-riskVariantsEarly interventionExomeFamilyGlycogen storage disorderHypertrophic cardiomyopathyCardiomyopathy
2023
CFAP45, a heterotaxy and congenital heart disease gene, affects cilia stability
Deniz E, Pasha M, Guerra M, Viviano S, Ji W, Konstantino M, Jeffries L, Lakhani S, Medne L, Skraban C, Krantz I, Khokha M. CFAP45, a heterotaxy and congenital heart disease gene, affects cilia stability. Developmental Biology 2023, 499: 75-88. PMID: 37172641, PMCID: PMC10373286, DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.04.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsLeft-right organizerCilia stabilityLeft-right patterningCongenital heart disease genesApical surfaceCell apical surfaceLive confocal imagingLeftward fluid flowHeart disease genesRecessive missense mutationLethal birth defectMotile monociliaProtein familyEarly embryogenesisMulticiliated cellsCiliary axonemeDisease genesFrog embryosGenetic underpinningsWhole-exome sequencingMissense mutationsConfocal imagingEmbryosCiliaCongenital heart disease
2022
A retrospective cohort analysis of the Yale pediatric genomics discovery program
Al‐Ali S, Jeffries L, Faustino EVS, Ji W, Mis E, Konstantino M, Zerillo C, Jiang Y, Spencer‐Manzon M, Bale A, Zhang H, McGlynn J, McGrath JM, Tremblay T, Brodsky NN, Lucas CL, Pierce R, Deniz E, Khokha MK, Lakhani SA. A retrospective cohort analysis of the Yale pediatric genomics discovery program. American Journal Of Medical Genetics Part A 2022, 188: 2869-2878. PMID: 35899841, PMCID: PMC9474639, DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62918.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsRetrospective cohort analysisNext-generation sequencingCohort analysisSystem abnormalitiesImmune system abnormalitiesCardiovascular system abnormalitiesFunctional molecular analysesNovel genesPrecise molecular diagnosisClinical characteristicsFurther genetic evaluationDiscovery programsComplex patientsMultisystem diseaseDisease genesPediatric providersRare genetic diseaseNew diagnosisPhenotype relationshipsPatientsGenetic diseasesMolecular analysisDiagnosisParticipant demographicsNGS resultsTBX5 variant with the novel phenotype of mixed-type total anomalous pulmonary venous return in Holt-Oram Syndrome and variable intrafamilial heart defects
Azab B, Aburizeg D, Ji W, Jeffries L, Isbeih NJ, Al-Akily AS, Mohammad H, Abu Osba Y, Shahin MA, Dardas Z, Hatmal MM, Al-Ammouri I, Lakhani S. TBX5 variant with the novel phenotype of mixed-type total anomalous pulmonary venous return in Holt-Oram Syndrome and variable intrafamilial heart defects. Molecular Medicine Reports 2022, 25: 210. PMID: 35514310, PMCID: PMC9133962, DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12726.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsHolt-Oram syndromeMolecular etiologyT-box domainWild-type proteinT-box transcription factorGenetic investigationsTrio-based whole-exome sequencingNonsense variantTranscription factorsIntrafamilial levelTBX5 proteinNovel phenotypesProtein's abilityFirst genetic investigationMutant dimersNon-syndromic presentationsProtein modelingWhole-exome sequencingComplete phenotypingSubsequent genetic investigationsTbx5Novel associationsPowerful approachWide phenotypic spectrumNon-covalent bonds
2021
Correction: Disruption of NEUROD2 causes a neurodevelopmental syndrome with autistic features via cell-autonomous defects in forebrain glutamatergic neurons
Runge K, Mathieu R, Bugeon S, Lafi S, Beurrier C, Sahu S, Schaller F, Loubat A, Herault L, Gaillard S, Pallesi-Pocachard E, Montheil A, Bosio A, Rosenfeld JA, Hudson E, Lindstrom K, Mercimek-Andrews S, Jeffries L, van Haeringen A, Vanakker O, Van Hecke A, Amrom D, Küry S, Ratner C, Jethva R, Gamble C, Jacq B, Fasano L, Santpere G, Lorente-Galdos B, Sestan N, Gelot A, Giacuzz S, Goebbels S, Represa A, Cardoso C, Cremer H, de Chevigny A. Correction: Disruption of NEUROD2 causes a neurodevelopmental syndrome with autistic features via cell-autonomous defects in forebrain glutamatergic neurons. Molecular Psychiatry 2021, 26: 7852-7852. PMID: 34282265, PMCID: PMC8873008, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01234-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricDisruption of NEUROD2 causes a neurodevelopmental syndrome with autistic features via cell-autonomous defects in forebrain glutamatergic neurons
Runge K, Mathieu R, Bugeon S, Lafi S, Beurrier C, Sahu S, Schaller F, Loubat A, Herault L, Gaillard S, Pallesi-Pocachard E, Montheil A, Bosio A, Rosenfeld JA, Hudson E, Lindstrom K, Mercimek-Andrews S, Jeffries L, van Haeringen A, Vanakker O, Van Hecke A, Amrom D, Küry S, Ratner C, Jethva R, Gamble C, Jacq B, Fasano L, Santpere G, Lorente-Galdos B, Sestan N, Gelot A, Giacuzz S, Goebbels S, Represa A, Cardoso C, Cremer H, de Chevigny A. Disruption of NEUROD2 causes a neurodevelopmental syndrome with autistic features via cell-autonomous defects in forebrain glutamatergic neurons. Molecular Psychiatry 2021, 26: 6125-6148. PMID: 34188164, PMCID: PMC8760061, DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01179-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsLayer 5 neuronsKO miceForebrain glutamatergic neuronsTranscription factor NeuroD2Forebrain excitatory neuronsNeurodevelopmental disordersAutism spectrum disorderCortical projection neuronsPatch-clamp recordingsIntellectual disabilitySocial interaction deficitsSpontaneous seizuresCerebral cortexGlutamatergic neuronsSpine densityProjection neuronsIntrinsic excitabilityNervous system developmentNeuronal excitabilityExcitatory neuronsJuvenile miceBulk RNA sequencingSynaptic functionNeurobehavioral featuresDysregulated expressionFunctional testing for variant prioritization in a family with long QT syndrome
Najari Beidokhti M, Bertalovitz AC, Ji W, McCormack J, Jeffries L, Sempou E, Khokha MK, McDonald TV, Lakhani SA. Functional testing for variant prioritization in a family with long QT syndrome. Molecular Genetics And Genomics 2021, 296: 823-836. PMID: 33876311, DOI: 10.1007/s00438-021-01780-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsMeSH KeywordsAmino Acid SubstitutionAMP-Activated Protein KinasesDNA Mutational AnalysisElectrocardiographyERG1 Potassium ChannelExome SequencingFamilyFemaleGenetic TestingHeart Function TestsHEK293 CellsHumansKCNQ1 Potassium ChannelLong QT SyndromeMiddle AgedMutationPedigreePhenotypePolymerase Chain ReactionPolymorphism, Single NucleotideProtein Serine-Threonine KinasesConceptsWhole-exome sequencingFunctional characterizationSilico analysisPrecise genetic etiologyHeterologous expression systemNext-generation sequencing platformsNovel genetic variantsDeleterious phenotypesFunction phenotypesExpression systemSequencing platformsSecond individualHeritable diseaseVariant prioritizationGenetic variantsLong QT syndromeExome sequencingGenetic etiologyGenetic settingClinical genetics settingPhenotypeFamilyGene panelFamily membersVariantsExpansion of NEUROD2 phenotypes to include developmental delay without seizures
Mis EK, Sega AG, Signer RH, Cartwright T, Ji W, Martinez‐Agosto J, Nelson SF, Palmer CGS, Lee H, Mitzelfelt T, Konstantino M, Network U, Jeffries L, Khokha MK, Marco E, Martin MG, Lakhani SA. Expansion of NEUROD2 phenotypes to include developmental delay without seizures. American Journal Of Medical Genetics Part A 2021, 185: 1076-1080. PMID: 33438828, PMCID: PMC8212414, DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62064.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsDevelopmental delayEarly-onset seizuresDe novo heterozygous variantsNovo heterozygous variantsDifferentiation factor 2Xenopus laevis tadpolesHeterozygous variantsSeizuresNeuronal differentiationParental studiesFunctional testingMissense variantsPatient variantsFunctional evidenceFactor 2Vivo assaysLaevis tadpolesVariant pathogenicityFunction effectsAdolescentsVariants
2020
The latest FADS: Functional analysis of GLDN patient variants and classification of GLDN‐associated AMC as a type of viable fetal akinesia deformation sequence
Mis EK, Al‐Ali S, Ji W, Spencer‐Manzon M, Konstantino M, Khokha MK, Jeffries L, Lakhani SA. The latest FADS: Functional analysis of GLDN patient variants and classification of GLDN‐associated AMC as a type of viable fetal akinesia deformation sequence. American Journal Of Medical Genetics Part A 2020, 182: 2291-2296. PMID: 32812332, DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61783.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsFetal akinesia deformation sequenceArthrogryposis multiplex congenitaCohort of patientsScope of illnessPulmonary hypoplasiaAdditional patientsClinical featuresNeonatal supportNervous system developmentMultiplex congenitaCongenital contracturesPatientsHeterogenous conditionRecessive variantsPatient variantsFunctional evidenceCohortNovel variantsContractureFunctional dataSyndromeHypoplasiaIllnessVariantsFindingsDYNC1H1‐related disorders: A description of four new unrelated patients and a comprehensive review of previously reported variants
Amabile S, Jeffries L, McGrath JM, Ji W, Spencer‐Manzon M, Zhang H, Lakhani SA. DYNC1H1‐related disorders: A description of four new unrelated patients and a comprehensive review of previously reported variants. American Journal Of Medical Genetics Part A 2020, 182: 2049-2057. PMID: 32656949, DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61729.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSpinal muscular atrophyIntellectual disabilityUnrelated patientsSingle-center experienceNew unrelated patientsCenter experienceDYNC1H1 geneCNS disordersCombined disordersCortical developmentDisease-causing variantsVariable syndromeNeuromuscular diseaseNeuromuscular phenotypePatientsMuscular atrophyHeterozygous variantsDYNC1H1Medical literatureCharcot-MarieDisordersType 20Novel variantsPhenotypeReport
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Pediatric Genomics Discovery Program (PGDP)
HIC ID1411014977RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date12/31/2023Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBoth
Clinical Care
Overview
Lauren Jeffries, DO, is a pediatrician and medical geneticist for the Pediatric Genomics Discovery Program (PGDP), where she provides genetic counseling to patients and their families.
In her PGDP role, Dr. Jeffries helps families understand the information on what genetic testing can and cannot provide. “Even if a condition isn’t directly treatable with medication, just having a diagnosis or knowledge of a specific variant can be very powerful,” Dr. Jeffries says. “For families looking for answers, having a diagnosis offers new insight to their child’s condition, guidance as to appropriate resources and supportive therapies, and a means of support for those who wish to connect with similarly-impacted patients and families.”
Initially drawn to pediatrics because it offered the opportunity to develop relationships with patients and families while providing ongoing care, Dr. Jeffries discovered that as a medical geneticist, her role as a caregiver could continue throughout a patient’s lifetime. “For some of our most complicated patients, the geneticist is like a second primary care provider,”mshe says, referring to the fact that often geneticists have to be aware of a constellation of health issues potentially affecting the patient—not just one part of the body.
“It’s important to me that patients and families understand their testing options and diagnoses,” Dr. Jeffries says. “Although genetics may seem complicated, it doesn’t need to be."
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Genetic Evaluation and Counseling
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Medical Genetics
- Certification Organization
- AB of Medical Genetics and Genomics
- Original Certification Date
- 2017
Pediatrics
- Certification Organization
- AB of Pediatrics
- Original Certification Date
- 2016
Yale Medicine News
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News
- June 24, 2024Source: Yale News
Advanced Genetic Tools Help Researchers ID New Neurodevelopmental Syndrome
- March 25, 2024Source: OMIM
JEFFRIES-LAKHANI NEURODEVELOPMENTAL SYNDROME; JELANS
- November 28, 2019Source: The Remedy
Healthy Gifts That Are Doctor Recommended
- December 10, 2017Source: Yale Medicine
Is an At-Home DNA Test an Ideal Gift, Really?