Using data science to understand blood cell traits and disease risk in Africa
Official title: BCX-Africa: Utilizing data science to evaluate the applicability of blood cell traits polygenic risk scores for disease prediction in Africa
Funded at Uganda Virus Research Institute · NIH-10932159 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at genetic information from blood cells to find new genes that could help predict health risks for people of African descent, aiming to improve understanding of how genetics affect conditions like heart and infectious diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Uganda Virus Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Entebbe, Uganda) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $247,332 |
| NIH project number | 5U01HL172180-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932159 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals of African ancestry who are interested in understanding their genetic risk for blood-related diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have African ancestry may not benefit directly from the findings of this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to analyze existing genomic data related to blood cell traits from various initiatives across Africa to discover new genes and predict genetic risks for diseases in individuals of African ancestry. By utilizing the Open Data Science Platform, the project seeks to facilitate collaborative research in resource-limited settings. The focus is on understanding how genetic factors influence blood cell traits, which are important for various health conditions, including cardiovascular and infectious diseases. The study addresses the underrepresentation of African populations in genetic research and aims to identify population-specific genetic variants that could improve health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better disease prediction and personalized treatment strategies for individuals of African descent.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in utilizing genomic data for disease prediction in other populations, but this approach is novel for African ancestry individuals.
Where this research is happening
-
Uganda Virus Research Institute
Entebbe, Uganda Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fatumo, Segun — Uganda Virus Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Fatumo, Segun
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.