Understanding how human genetic variations shape disease through 3D genome organization
Official title: Studying the function of human genetic variation in the light of 3D genome organization
Funded at La Jolla Institute for Immunology · NIH-11398068 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant studies how genetic differences in people influence disease by looking at how DNA folds in 3D space inside cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | La Jolla Institute for Immunology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $494,100 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM128938-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398068 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals whose autoimmune diseases or cancers are linked to specific genetic variants studied in this project, particularly those whose samples can be analyzed for 3D genome features.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without the relevant genetic variants or without available tissue suitable for 3D genome analysis may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will combine computational analysis with new lab experiments to map how genetic variants may affect the 3D structure of the genome and gene regulation in disease-relevant cell types. The project aims to connect genetic differences to changes in genome organization, which could help explain why certain variants contribute to autoimmune diseases and cancers. By building a more complete map of genotype-phenotype links, the work could guide future translational studies and potential therapies. The team is based at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology and will leverage established computational methods alongside experimental approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal how genetic variants drive disease via 3D genome changes, informing precision medicine approaches.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using 3D genome data and variant mapping have identified candidate regulatory variants, suggesting this approach can yield actionable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
La Jolla Institute for Immunology
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ay, Ferhat — La Jolla Institute for Immunology
- Study coordinator: Ay, Ferhat
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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.