Understanding How Medicines Work Differently in Diverse Populations
Interindividual Variability in Drug Metabolism in Ethnically Diverse Populations
This work aims to understand why medicines affect people differently, especially across diverse populations, to help doctors prescribe the right dose for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11126818 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our bodies process medicines in unique ways, and these differences can change how well a drug works or if it causes side effects. This project looks at how both our genes and other factors like age, sex, and other medications influence how our bodies handle drugs. Researchers want to understand these variations better, especially in people from various ethnic backgrounds, to make medicine more personalized. By uncovering these mechanisms, the goal is to ensure each patient receives the most effective and safest dose of their medication.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients who take medications and experience varying effects or side effects, particularly those from diverse ethnic backgrounds, could potentially benefit from the insights gained from this research.
Not a fit: Patients who do not take medications or whose conditions are not related to drug metabolism variability may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more personalized medicine, helping doctors choose the best drug and dose for each patient to improve treatment effectiveness and reduce side effects.
How similar studies have performed: While pharmacogenomics has shown success in understanding genetic variations, this work aims to expand knowledge on a broader range of genetic and non-genetic factors across diverse populations, building on existing foundations.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jackson, Klarissa D. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Jackson, Klarissa D.
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.