Human Genome Reference Diversity Center
Official title: Center for Human Genome Reference Diversity
Funded at University of California Santa Cruz · NIH-11419677 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A major project to build a more diverse human genome reference by sequencing high-quality genomes from a wider set of people and sharing the data openly.
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 start | September 18, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,829,961 |
| NIH project number | 5UM1HG010971-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419677 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not a patient-facing trial; it involves genomic data from diverse individuals with consent for open use.
✕Less likely to help
Participants are contributors of genomic data and may not directly benefit from individual results.
What this research studies
This project expands the human pangenome resource by adding 200 new, properly consented samples to reach 550 reference genomes. It will use advanced sequencing technologies to produce telomere-to-telomere assemblies and develop robust workflows and software to ensure high quality, open-access data. The team includes processes for ethical handling, data sharing through AnVIL, and ongoing collaboration with researchers and ELSI experts. The work could enable researchers and clinicians to study genetic diversity and its links to health and disease more comprehensively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could improve the accuracy of genetic analyses across diverse populations and enhance opportunities for personalized medicine and health equity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous human pangenome efforts have shown that expanded diversity improves reference quality and downstream analyses.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miga, Karen Hayden — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Miga, Karen Hayden
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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.