Investigating how epigenetics affects heart disease risk in African American women
Official title: Epigenetic biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in African American Women
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10980105 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how lifestyle and environment might affect heart health in African American women by examining changes in their DNA, and it hopes to find new ways to predict heart disease risk for this group.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $324,440 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL175681-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980105 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American women, particularly those who are postmenopausal and may be at higher risk for cardiovascular issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as African American or who are not women may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of epigenetics in cardiovascular risk specifically among African American women, a group significantly affected by heart disease. By analyzing DNA modifications that may reflect lifestyle and environmental influences, the study aims to identify biomarkers that could predict cardiovascular disease risk. Participants will be drawn from the Women's Health Initiative, which includes a wealth of clinical and lifestyle data. The findings could lead to improved risk assessment tools tailored for this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies and personalized treatment options for cardiovascular disease in African American women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using epigenetic markers to understand disease risk, but this specific focus on African American women is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Franceschini, Nora — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Franceschini, Nora
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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.