How human DNA differences influence cell fate decisions
Role of human-specific haplotype diversity on cell fate commitment
Using human stem cells and gene editing, this work looks at how common DNA differences change how cells develop to help explain disease risk across different ancestries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11175419 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers take cells from people and turn them into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and use genome editing to alter specific haplotypes (clusters of linked DNA variants). They then follow how those modified cells grow and choose different fates to see how non-coding DNA affects cell function. By comparing haplotypes common in different ancestral groups, the team aims to explain why genetic risk for complex diseases can vary between populations. This is laboratory-based work focused on cellular mechanisms rather than testing treatments in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people from diverse ancestral backgrounds who are willing to donate a blood or skin sample so iPSCs can be generated for lab studies.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate new treatments or whose conditions are unrelated to genetic differences in cell behavior are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could improve prediction of disease risk for people of different ancestries and identify new biological targets for future therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Related work using iPSCs and genome editing has linked some genetic variants to cellular changes, but explicitly testing haplotype diversity across ancestries is a newer approach with less prior data.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lo Sardo, Valentina — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Lo Sardo, Valentina
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.