Improving software for family-based genetic testing
Official title: Modernizing the family-based association testing (FBAT) approach and its software implementation in the FBAT-program
Funded at Harvard School of Public Health · NIH-11174108 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on improving a tool that helps families understand their genetic risks for diseases, so that patients and their loved ones can get better insights into their health based on the latest technology.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $712,873 |
| NIH project number | 1R56HG013314-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11174108 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit include families with a history of genetic diseases or conditions that are being studied through FBAT.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a family history of genetic diseases or those not involved in genetic research may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the family-based association testing (FBAT) approach, which is crucial for understanding genetic diseases. By modernizing the software used for FBAT, the project aims to improve its efficiency and capability to analyze complex genetic data. Patients and their families may benefit from more accurate assessments of genetic risks associated with diseases, as the updated software will support advanced data formats and computing methods. The research will also explore the application of FBAT in genome-wide association studies and whole-genome sequencing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more precise genetic testing and better understanding of disease susceptibility in families.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has successfully utilized family-based association tests in genetic studies, indicating a strong foundation for this updated approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lange, Christoph — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Lange, Christoph
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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.