Understanding how ancient diseases like the Black Death shaped human genes
Official title: Characterizing Human-Pathogen Interactions and Natural Selection with Ancient DNA
Funded at California State University Northridge · NIH-11112309 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at ancient DNA to learn how past outbreaks of diseases like the Black Death affected human genes and how our bodies adapted.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California State University Northridge NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Northridge, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $361,304 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM142939-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11112309 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research does not involve direct patient participation, as it focuses on analyzing ancient human genetic material.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate medical treatment or direct clinical intervention will not receive benefit from this historical genetic research.
What this research studies
This project uses ancient DNA from archaeological sites to explore how diseases and humans have evolved together over time. By studying genetic material from people who lived during major outbreaks, like the Black Death in Eurasia, we can see how human populations responded to these health challenges. The goal is to develop new ways to analyze these historical genetic datasets, helping us better understand the long-term interactions between human bodies and disease-causing germs. This work also examines the period when Indigenous peoples in South America first encountered European colonizers and the diseases they carried.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding how past human populations adapted to diseases could help us prepare for and respond to future disease outbreaks.
How similar studies have gone: The field of paleogenomics is rapidly advancing with new technologies, though statistical methods for analyzing time-series genetic data are still being developed.
Where this research is happening
-
California State University Northridge
Northridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guerra Amorim, Carlos Eduardo — California State University Northridge
- Study coordinator: Guerra Amorim, Carlos Eduardo
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.