Using geography to improve analysis of human genetic information
Incorporating geography into statistical methods for analysis of population genomic DNA
This project improves how researchers use people’s location and ancestry to make genetic studies clearer and fairer for people from diverse backgrounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11329109 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project creates statistical tools that combine people’s genetic data with geographic information to better understand how genetic differences formed across regions. The team develops methods to estimate population movement and density and uses Ancestral Recombination Graphs to capture detailed genealogical history across genomes. These approaches are applied to very large human genomic datasets to reduce errors and misleading results in gene-trait studies. If successful, the tools should make genetic findings more accurate and more useful for people from many places.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people who have donated genetic data to large studies or biobanks, especially those from understudied geographic or ancestral backgrounds.
Not a fit: People without genetic data in research databases or whose health issues are not related to genetics may not receive direct benefits from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients could see more accurate and equitable genetic findings that improve diagnosis and research on genetic causes of disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows that geography-aware models can reduce bias in genetic studies, but applying large-scale ancestral recombination graphs is a newer and evolving approach.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bradburd, Gideon — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Bradburd, Gideon
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.