Understanding mixed ancestries to improve how we find genetic links to traits
Official title: Unraveling subcontinental ancestries across Africa, Americas and Europe, and implications for admixture/association mapping of complex traits
Funded at Morehouse School of Medicine · NIH-11419903 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Scientists are studying how subcontinental African, European, and Native American ancestries affect genetic traits to improve how we map disease risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Morehouse School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $248,802 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HG012211-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11419903 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with diverse African, African American, and other ancestry backgrounds whose genetic data may contribute to admixture mapping.
✕Less likely to help
People whose data do not contribute to ancestry-mapping efforts or who are not part of admixed populations may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how fine-scale ancestry within broad groups changes how genes influence traits, so studies can avoid biased conclusions. It uses advanced methods to map local ancestry across diverse populations and identify genetic regions linked to traits with greater accuracy. Participants from diverse backgrounds may contribute data or samples to help refine these analyses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more accurate genetic findings that benefit diverse populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous admixture mapping work has shown promise, but subcontinental granularity remains a challenge; this study seeks to advance that field.
Where this research is happening
-
Morehouse School of Medicine
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gouveia, Mateus Henrique — Morehouse School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Gouveia, Mateus Henrique
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.