How genes and blood metabolites relate to artery disease in diverse populations
Official title: Molecular Determinants of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Multi-ethnic Populations
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-11309640 · Data updated 2026-11-12
They are looking at whether blood metabolites and genetic differences help explain artery clogging in middle-aged and older adults from European, African American, and Hispanic backgrounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $686,867 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168683-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11309640 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Middle-aged and older adults, especially those of African American, Hispanic, or European ancestry and those with or at risk for atherosclerosis, match the populations being studied.
✕Less likely to help
Children, people with no atherosclerosis risk factors, or people from ethnic groups not well represented in the datasets may not see direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze blood metabolites and whole-genome sequencing data from six large TOPMed studies that include European, African American, and Hispanic participants to find links to atherosclerosis. They will compare metabolite levels and genetic variants to measures of artery disease and clinical outcomes over time. The project focuses on middle and late life and examines how changes in metabolites across years relate to worsening artery disease. The goal is to identify biological pathways and markers that could point to earlier detection or new prevention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify blood markers and genetic signals that help predict or prevent heart attacks and improve care for diverse populations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies have linked lipid and oxidation-related metabolites and genetic variants to future ASCVD, but applying these analyses across multiple ethnic groups and tracking metabolite changes over time is less common.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Bing — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Yu, Bing
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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.