Molecular profiling of preeclampsia risk with cell-free DNA in pregnancy
Official title: Molecular Profiling and Risk Assessment of Preeclampsia Using Cell-Free DNA
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11269110 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A blood test using DNA from a pregnant person’s blood looks for signs that could predict preeclampsia early in pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,697,415 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL183263-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11269110 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals in early pregnancy (≤16 weeks) who are receiving prenatal care.
✕Less likely to help
People without a risk for preeclampsia or those beyond the early pregnancy window may not benefit from this test.
What this research studies
This project uses a single blood sample to study DNA fragments in maternal blood and links them to placental and other tissue signals that may indicate future preeclampsia risk. Researchers analyze ATAC-seq patterns and nucleosome positioning to identify tissue-specific signatures from cell-free DNA. The goal is to create a non-invasive, early risk assessment tool that could guide closer monitoring or preventive care for pregnant individuals. The work builds on prior methods and aims to improve prediction accuracy using minimally invasive testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enable earlier, more accurate identification of people at risk for preeclampsia, allowing better monitoring and preventive strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest promising predictive performance using cfDNA signatures, but validation in larger populations is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shree, Swati — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Shree, Swati
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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.