Understanding genetic changes in normal tissues and their role in health and disease
Official title: Comprehensive Somatic Variant Characterization at the HGSC
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11083082 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at genetic changes in normal tissues to understand how they might affect our health and contribute to aging and cancer, and it could help improve how we diagnose and treat these conditions in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $3,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 5UM1DA058229-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11083082 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with a diverse range of normal tissue samples, particularly those interested in the genetic aspects of aging and disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no available tissue samples or those with exclusively pathogenic mutations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to explore somatic mutations, which are genetic changes that occur in normal tissues rather than just in cancerous cells. By analyzing 750 tissue samples from 150 individuals, the study will utilize advanced sequencing techniques to identify and characterize these mutations. The goal is to build a comprehensive understanding of how these genetic variations contribute to health and disease, potentially leading to new insights into aging and cancer biology. Patients may benefit from improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies based on this knowledge.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for various diseases, including cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in characterizing somatic mutations, but this approach aims to expand knowledge in a novel way by focusing on normal tissues.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gibbs, Richard a — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Gibbs, Richard a
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.