Genetic diversity and ancient human ancestry across Oceania
Mapping the Full Spectrum of Human Genetic Variation and Archaic Hominin Introgression in Oceania
Researchers are sequencing genomes from people with Oceanian ancestry to find genetic differences and ancient Neanderthal/Denisovan DNA that may relate to traits and disease risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182569 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will collect DNA from people across Oceania and sequence whole genomes to capture genetic differences unique to the region, from single-letter changes to large structural variants. The team will combine lab work, computational analyses, and anthropological information to map how migrations, mixing, and natural selection shaped Oceanian genomes. They will also search for and characterize DNA inherited from ancient humans like Neanderthals and Denisovans. The goal is to better understand genetic contributors to traits and disease risk that are specific to Oceanian communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with ancestry from Oceania (for example, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, Polynesia, or Micronesia) who are willing to provide a DNA sample and basic health or trait information.
Not a fit: People without Oceanian ancestry or those seeking an immediate treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify population-specific genetic variants that improve understanding of disease risk and support more accurate diagnosis and tailored medical research for Oceanian populations.
How similar studies have performed: Large population-genomic projects elsewhere have successfully mapped genetic variation and archaic introgression, but Oceania has been under-sampled, making this work comparatively novel for that region.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tucci, Serena — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Tucci, Serena
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.