Genetics-guided colorectal cancer risk prediction across ancestries
Project 1: Functional guided risk prediction for colorectal cancer across genetic ancestries
This project uses genetic and cell-level genome data to build better risk scores for colorectal cancer for people from diverse ancestry backgrounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176268 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be impacted because researchers will combine many genetic variants into polygenic risk scores and use single-cell open chromatin and RNA data to mark which variants matter most. They will apply machine learning to integrate those functional signals and create risk scores meant to work across different ancestral groups. The team will test and validate the new scores using large colorectal cancer genetic datasets and population cohorts. If these scores work, they could point out people who may benefit from earlier or more personalized screening.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People interested in genetic risk information for colorectal cancer—especially those from underrepresented ancestry groups or who want more personalized screening guidance—are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with an active colorectal cancer diagnosis or those seeking immediate treatment are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this research itself.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable earlier or more tailored colorectal cancer screening based on genetic risk rather than relying on family history alone.
How similar studies have performed: Polygenic risk scores have improved prediction in people of European ancestry, but using functional genomic data to boost accuracy across diverse ancestries is a newer approach with promising early signs.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peters, Ulrike — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Peters, Ulrike
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.