Understanding how genetics and natural selection shape human diseases
Characterizing genetic signatures of natural selection to understand human diseases
This project helps us learn how natural selection influences our genes, which can improve how we understand, prevent, and diagnose human diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11131206 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project explores how natural selection has shaped our genes over time and how these genetic changes affect common human diseases and traits. Researchers are developing new methods to analyze large genetic datasets, including information from many different ancestral backgrounds. The goal is to identify specific genetic patterns that influence disease risk and progression. This work could lead to better ways to predict disease risk and improve how we identify important genetic variations in clinical settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational genetics project does not directly involve patient participation, but its findings could eventually benefit individuals with a wide range of human diseases, especially those with diverse ancestral backgrounds.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical interventions or direct treatment options would not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more accurate polygenic risk scores for disease prevention and better tools for diagnosing diseases across various populations.
How similar studies have performed: While many studies highlight the role of negative selection in human diseases, this project aims to develop new methods to investigate selection beyond negative selection and analyze low-prevalence diseases, suggesting a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gazal, Steven — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Gazal, Steven
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.