Finding disease-causing genes using gene interaction networks
DMS/NIGMS 1: Disease gene discovery by Markovian gene network
['FUNDING_R01'] · RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. · NIH-11190873
Researchers are building easy-to-understand computer methods that use how genes interact to help find genes that cause complex diseases for patients with suspected genetic conditions.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PISCATAWAY, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11190873 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project develops interpretable statistical tools that model gene-gene interactions as evolving (Markovian) networks. The team will apply these methods to genetic data, often from patients, to map candidate disease genes into interaction networks and identify central genes that may drive disease. They will create techniques that provide formal statistical confidence about which genes are likely causal, making results easier for clinicians and researchers to trust. Most of the work is computational and aims to improve how genes are prioritized for follow-up lab tests or clinical diagnosis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with unexplained hereditary or complex conditions, or those willing to share genetic or clinical data for research, would be the most relevant participants.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are not driven by genetic causes or who cannot or do not want to share genetic data are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make genetic diagnoses faster and more reliable by pointing clinicians to the most likely disease-causing genes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has used gene-network approaches to find disease genes with some success, but this Markovian modeling approach and its formal confidence methods are new and less proven in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
PISCATAWAY, UNITED STATES
- RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. — PISCATAWAY, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: XU, MIN — RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J.
- Study coordinator: XU, MIN
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Candidate Disease Gene