Understanding why drug responses vary among people

Computational methods for characterizing sources of variability in drug response

NIH-funded research Stanford University · NIH-11194276

This work uses advanced computer tools to understand why different people respond to medications in different ways, aiming for safer and more effective treatments for everyone.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionStanford University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Stanford, United States)
Project IDNIH-11194276 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We know that drugs work differently for each person, sometimes leading to side effects or not being as effective as hoped. This project uses powerful computer methods to look at vast amounts of information, including your genetic makeup, how your body's cells work, and real-world patient experiences from medical records. By bringing all this data together, we hope to uncover the detailed reasons behind these differences in drug response. Our goal is to help doctors choose the right medication and dose for you, making treatments more precise and personalized.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational computational work is relevant to all patients who take medications, as it aims to improve understanding of drug response across diverse populations.

Not a fit: Patients not currently taking medications or those whose conditions are not treated with drugs may not directly benefit from this specific research focus.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more personalized drug therapies, reducing side effects and improving treatment effectiveness for many conditions.

How similar studies have performed: The research team has a strong track record in this area, including creating the Pharmacogenetics Knowledgebase (PharmGKB), which curates information on how human genetics affect drug response.

Where this research is happening

Stanford, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.