Investigating how genetic differences in immunity affect health disparities in African Americans
Official title: Addressing the Biology of Health Disparities by Targeting Geographical Ancestry-driven Variants of Immunity
Funded at Morehouse School of Medicine · NIH-11137584 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain genetic differences related to immunity affect health in African Americans, with the goal of creating personalized treatments that work better for individuals based on their unique genetics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Morehouse School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $666,881 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD017405-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137584 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include African American individuals who are at risk for or currently suffering from conditions like cancer, asthma, or cardiometabolic diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have African ancestry or those with conditions unrelated to the focus of this research may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how specific genetic variants related to immunity impact health outcomes in African Americans, who face significant health disparities. By examining these genetic differences, the study aims to develop precision medicine approaches that tailor treatments based on individual genetic profiles. Researchers will engineer immune gene variants into cell lines and assess their effects on drug responses, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies. The project will also create novel assays to identify compounds that could improve health outcomes for individuals of African ancestry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for diseases that disproportionately affect African Americans, ultimately improving health outcomes and reducing disparities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using genetic variants to tailor treatments for specific populations, indicating that this approach could yield significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Morehouse School of Medicine
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kimbro, Kevin Sean — Morehouse School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Kimbro, Kevin Sean
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.