NIH-funded research R21 grant

Exploring how genetic variations in immune genes affect disease risk in different populations.

Official title: Discovery of Immunogenomic Associations with Disease and Differential Risk Across Diverse Populations

Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-10924031 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how differences in certain genes related to our immune system might affect our health and lead to various diseases, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how genetics can influence health outcomes across different groups of people.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Arizona
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tucson, United States)
Project startSeptember 10, 2023
Project endJuly 31, 2025
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$184,740
NIH project number5R21HL172036-02
Project IDNIH-10924031 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include individuals from diverse ancestral backgrounds who may be affected by immune-related diseases.

Less likely to help

Patients with no genetic variation in HLA alleles or those not affected by immune-related diseases may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the role of genetic variations in immune-related genes, specifically focusing on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles, and their influence on a wide range of diseases. By utilizing a large and diverse DNA biobank linked to electronic health records, the study aims to understand how these genetic variations impact health outcomes across various populations. The approach involves a phenome-wide association study (PheWAS) to systematically identify associations between HLA alleles and multiple diseases, moving beyond the traditional focus on specific immune-mediated conditions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of disease risk factors and personalized treatment strategies based on genetic profiles.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding genetic influences on diseases, but this study aims to explore a broader spectrum across diverse populations, making it a novel approach.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Arizona
    Tucson, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Karnes, Jason Hansen — University of Arizona
  • Study coordinator: Karnes, Jason Hansen

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.