Gene regulation and the genetic basis of complex traits (how our genes influence survival and trait differences)
Official title: Gene regulation and the genetic basis of complex traits
Funded at University of Kansas Lawrence · NIH-11518850 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how genetic differences that affect gene regulation contribute to when and how people survive and reproduce, especially in natural populations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Lawrence NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lawrence, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $105,244 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM154966-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11518850 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals or populations with well-characterized genetic and phenotypic data relevant to fitness-related traits in natural settings.
✕Less likely to help
People without access to genetic or ecological data may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project aims to link specific genetic changes that control gene activity to observable traits related to fitness in natural populations. It will combine tissue-specific gene-regulation data, population surveys, and new sequencing plus computational analyses to find the genetic variants that influence complex traits. By focusing on non-coding regions and regulatory effects, the work seeks to connect genetic variation with real-world differences in survival and reproduction. The approach spans data collection from natural populations and advanced analysis to reveal how genomes shape traits in the environment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help scientists understand how genetics influence health and trait variation, potentially informing personalized medicine and evolutionary biology.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that regulatory variants can affect traits, but linking them to fitness in natural populations is still developing, making this a cutting-edge effort.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Lawrence
Lawrence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mack, Katya — University of Kansas Lawrence
- Study coordinator: Mack, Katya
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.