Understanding how populations adapt through genetic analysis
Official title: Identifying complex modes of adaptation from population-genomic data
Funded at Florida Atlantic University · NIH-11136231 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how our genes change over time due to natural selection and other influences, helping us understand which parts of our DNA might lead to helpful traits, and this information could eventually improve personalized medicine and treatment options for you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida Atlantic University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boca Raton, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $374,872 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM128590-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136231 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with a keen interest in genetic factors influencing health and disease, particularly those from diverse genetic backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that are not influenced by genetic factors or those who do not have a genetic predisposition to diseases may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how genetic variations within populations are influenced by natural selection and other factors. By utilizing advanced statistical methods and machine learning, the study aims to identify specific regions of the genome that are undergoing positive selection, which can lead to beneficial traits in populations. The research also explores balancing selection, which helps maintain genetic diversity. Patients may benefit from insights gained about genetic adaptations that could inform personalized medicine and treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of genetic adaptations, leading to improved treatments and preventive strategies for various diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using similar statistical and machine learning approaches to uncover genetic adaptations, indicating a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Degiorgio, Michael — Florida Atlantic University
- Study coordinator: Degiorgio, Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
INCLUSAVE: helping young adults with IDD access suicide-prevention trainings
A new NIH grant studies whether two proven gatekeeper trainings (ASIST and safeTALK) can be delivered in inclusive settings to support young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their communities.
-
SmartGait: a smartphone AI tool to predict fall risk for older adults
A smartphone app uses AI to analyze a simple gait test and predict when a person may fall, helping clinicians tailor prevention for older adults.
-
Can speaking both Spanish and English help protect thinking skills in older Hispanic adults with mild memory problems?
This project follows Hispanic older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment to see if people who use both Spanish and English show stronger brain resilience than Spanish-only speakers.
-
Molecular ideas about special glia that help nerves work
A researcher will study special glial cells that touch both the brain/spinal cord and nerves elsewhere, to understand how they help nerve fibers stay healthy and properly connected.
-
How attention helps vision learn and transfer skills
Scientists are studying how paying attention can make visual training benefits transfer to new parts of the field of view, with the goal of improving vision rehabilitation.
-
Identifying population gene signals of adaptation
Researchers are developing easy-to-use statistical methods to find regions in the genome that helped populations adapt over time.
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.