Personalized genomics to read individual cell types in mixed tissue samples
Personalized genomics signal deconvolution to improve cell-type level inference
This project creates new computer methods to pull apart gene activity from different cell types in a person’s mixed clinical samples to help people with brittle diabetes and similar conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11369401 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I give blood or tissue samples, the team will use my repeated measurements to build a person-specific reference for each cell type. They will develop and test algorithms that separate signals from different cells and estimate how much of each cell type is present. The methods aim to produce cell-type-specific gene profiles and find genes changing inside particular cell types. Results will be tested on clinical sequencing data to improve biomarker discovery at the cell-type level.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people who can provide blood or tissue samples, especially those with brittle diabetes or who can give repeated samples over time.
Not a fit: People who cannot provide clinical samples or are unwilling to give repeat samples are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make genetic biomarkers more precise by showing which specific cell types drive disease, potentially guiding more personalized treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous deconvolution methods have shown promise at improving biomarker detection, but this personalized, per-patient approach is a novel extension that has not yet been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feng, Hao — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Feng, Hao
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 below.