Genetic risk for heart disease across diverse ancestries
Polygenic Risk of Disease in Populations of Diverse Ancestry
Researchers are creating genetic risk scores to help predict heart disease and related conditions for people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11135468 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I take part, researchers will use genetic data and medical records from large groups like All of Us, the Million Veteran’s Program, eMERGE, and UK Biobank to build risk scores for heart disease and its major risk factors. They will harmonize data across these studies and develop new statistical methods so the scores work well for people of different ancestries, including admixed populations. The work focuses on coronary heart disease and related conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol. The team intends for the methods to improve existing risk calculators and be applicable to many common diseases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (21+) from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds who have or are willing to provide genetic and health data through programs like All of Us, MVP, eMERGE, or similar biobanks.
Not a fit: People without genetic data or whose health issues are unrelated to coronary heart disease or the targeted risk factors may not directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give more accurate and fair genetic risk estimates so doctors can better tailor prevention and treatment for people from diverse backgrounds.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show polygenic risk scores can improve risk prediction, especially in European ancestry groups, but methods for diverse populations are newer and less proven.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schaid, Daniel J. — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Schaid, Daniel J.
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.