How genetic differences shape disease risk and virus changes
Origins, Functional, and Evolutionary Consequences of Genomic Variation
This project builds computer tools and lab tests to understand how genetic differences affect disease risk and how viruses like SARS‑CoV‑2 change over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247079 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you care about genetics or COVID‑19, this team is creating fast computer methods to compare thousands of genomes, including SARS‑CoV‑2, to track how viruses spread and evolve. They will analyze human genomes from mixed‑ancestry populations to learn how genetic differences influence health, and run genome‑editing experiments in the lab to change conserved DNA segments and measure molecular and fitness effects. The group will also study how gaining introns (noncoding gene parts) changes cell function. Together these computer analyses and lab experiments aim to link genetic variation to real biological and evolutionary outcomes that can matter for health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who can contribute genetic data or viral samples—such as participants in COVID‑19 sequencing projects or genetic studies of admixed populations—would be the best matches to contribute.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate new therapy are unlikely to benefit directly because the grant focuses on basic methods and biological mechanisms rather than clinical treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve detection of viral variants and reveal genetic factors that point to new prevention or treatment strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Large‑scale genomic methods and viral surveillance have already helped identify SARS‑CoV‑2 variants, but combining scalable computational tools with genome‑editing experiments and intron‑focused work is more novel.
Where this research is happening
Santa Cruz, United States
- University of California Santa Cruz — Santa Cruz, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Corbett-Detig, Russell — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Corbett-Detig, Russell
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.