Multiethnic look at DNA methylation and heart health over time
Official title: Multiethnic and multiomics analysis of longitudinal changes in DNA methylation and Cardiovascular health
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11417911 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multiethnic study will follow adults to see how changes in DNA methylation relate to cardiovascular health and risk over several years.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,056 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL176728-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417911 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals from ARIC, CARDIA, FHS, and MESA cohorts or similar populations with cardiovascular risk factors who consent to long-term epigenetic and health data analysis.
✕Less likely to help
People not represented in the cohorts or lacking consent for genetic/epigenetic data use may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will track DNA methylation patterns in four long-running cohorts and link them to blood pressure, cholesterol, lifestyle factors, and heart disease outcomes. By combining genetic information, other omics data, and detailed health records, researchers aim to identify which methylation changes might drive heart disease versus those that come after disease begins. The study uses longitudinal data to understand cause-and-effect relationships and to uncover pathways that connect epigenetic changes to cardiovascular risk. The findings could inform better prevention and treatment strategies for diverse populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier detection of cardiovascular risk and more personalized prevention, especially for diverse communities.
How similar studies have gone: Longitudinal studies linking epigenetic changes to cardiovascular risk have shown promising associations, but causal pathways remain to be clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Jiantao — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Ma, Jiantao
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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.