Using DNA data to help reunite families separated by disasters or conflict
Official title: Developing strategies for using DNA data to assist family reunifications across child development stages
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10876222 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how we can use DNA to help quickly reunite kids with their families after they've been separated by disasters or other tough situations, while also making sure their DNA information is kept safe and that we get permission from kids at different ages.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $444,617 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HG013916-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876222 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0-17 who have been separated from their families due to disasters or conflict.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not affected by family separations or who are over the age of 17 may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how DNA data can be used to quickly and accurately reunite children with their families after they have been separated due to disasters, armed conflict, or migration. It focuses on developing strategies to protect children's DNA data and obtaining consent from children at different developmental stages. The goal is to create a U.S. family reunification DNA database that can be activated during emergencies to facilitate safe reconnections. By leveraging genetic information, the research aims to provide a reliable method for verifying family ties, especially for young children who cannot communicate their family connections.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the speed and accuracy of family reunifications for children separated from their families during crises.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using DNA data for disaster victim identification and limited family reunifications, but this approach for a comprehensive database is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barnert, Elizabeth — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Barnert, Elizabeth
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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.