How sex and gender change genetic risk scores
A novel approach for understanding how sex influences polygenic score associations
This project looks at how sex and gender affect genetic risk scores for conditions like autism and mental health, with special attention to gender-diverse adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11371325 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze polygenic scores—summaries of genetic risk—for traits linked to autism and mental health while explicitly including people across the sex and gender spectrum. They will use existing genetic and health datasets and develop statistical methods to model how designated sex, gender identity, and their interaction influence genetic associations. Preliminary data showed different links between genetic scores and suicide risk depending on gender diversity, which motivates focusing on diverse adult participants. The team aims to make genetic risk tools more fair and informative for gender-minority groups.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults (21+) across the sex and gender spectrum, including gender-diverse individuals and people with autism or related developmental conditions who can contribute genetic and health data.
Not a fit: People under 21, those without genetic data or who cannot provide consent, and groups not represented in the analyzed datasets may not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make genetic risk predictions more accurate and equitable for cisgender and gender-diverse adults, improving personalized prevention and care.
How similar studies have performed: Polygenic scores have been applied in psychiatric genetics before, but explicitly modeling sex and gender-diversity interactions is relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Iowa City, United States
- University of Iowa — Iowa City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Michaelson, Jacob James — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Michaelson, Jacob James
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.