Strengthening GWAS and Polygenic Score Databases to Accelerate Human Health
Official title: Strengthening community knowledge bases for genetic association studies and polygenic scores, the GWAS and PGS Catalogs
Funded at European Molecular Biology Laboratory · NIH-11584502 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project to improve a disease genetics resource so researchers and clinicians can better understand how genetic factors relate to cancers, heart disease, and diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | European Molecular Biology Laboratory NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Heidelberg, Germany) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $171,190 |
| NIH project number | 3U24HG012542-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11584502 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable to a specific patient group; results benefit researchers and patients indirectly through improved genetic knowledge.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment changes may not see direct benefits during the grant period.
What this research studies
This grant funds the GWAS Catalog and its link to the Polygenic Score Catalog to provide a more complete, harmonized set of genetic association data. It focuses on improving data quality, standardization, and accessibility, including automation for curation and literature extraction. The work aims to make it easier for researchers and clinicians to explore how combinations of genes influence complex diseases and traits. It involves collaboration with journals, charities, and industry to ensure data sharing aligns with ethical constraints. The enhancements will support broader analysis and reuse by a wide international community.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, clinicians and researchers could more quickly identify genetic factors related to cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, informing precision medicine efforts.
How similar studies have gone: Previous GWAS and Polygenic Score resources have shown strong utility for research and translation; this project expands and standardizes those efforts.
Where this research is happening
-
European Molecular Biology Laboratory
Heidelberg, Germany Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parkinson, Helen Elizabeth — European Molecular Biology Laboratory
- Study coordinator: Parkinson, Helen Elizabeth
Related research
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Strengthening genetic association data and polygenic score resources for health
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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.