Using genetic and other molecular data to find how disease develops
Integration of Omic Data to Estimate Mediation or Latent Structures
This project creates new ways to combine genetic and other molecular data to reveal how those changes contribute to cancers such as colorectal cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192243 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses genetic, blood, and other molecular data collected from people to create new statistical tools that link risk factors to disease outcomes. The team combines measurements taken on the same individuals and summary results from multiple studies to find intermediate biological steps (mediators) and hidden patient subgroups. They will build methods to test whether a biological change lies on the pathway from a risk factor to cancer and to identify groups of patients who share molecular patterns. Much of the work analyzes existing samples and datasets rather than enrolling large numbers of new participants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for contributing to the datasets used here are people with colorectal cancer or those who have donated genetic, blood, or tissue samples and linked health information to research cohorts.
Not a fit: Patients without available molecular data or those with conditions unrelated to the cancers under study may not directly benefit from this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help pinpoint biological pathways and patient subgroups that lead to better prevention strategies and more personalized treatments for colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Combining multiple omics is an active and promising area with some encouraging early results, but the specific multi-omic causal and latent-structure methods proposed are relatively new and still being tested.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conti, David V — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Conti, David V
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 below.