Using hybrid zones to understand how genes shape behavior and species differences
Official title: When genomes collide: using hybrid zones to transform our understanding of behavioral and speciation genetics.
Funded at Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-11404935 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant explores how natural gene mixing in hybrid zones can reveal how genetics influence behavior and the formation of new species.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia Univ New York Morningside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $411,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151012-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404935 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with well-characterized behavioral profiles or involvement in populations where admixture and hybridization are studied (or data/samples from such populations).
✕Less likely to help
People not represented in hybrid-zone populations or without relevant behavioral context may see limited direct benefits.
What this research studies
The project aims to uncover genetic factors that drive behavior and how species diverge, using natural populations where different groups interbreed. By studying hybrid zones, researchers hope to separate the effects of individual genes on behavior from other influences. The work leverages recent genomic advances to link specific genetic variants to behavioral traits and to better understand reproductive isolation between populations. The findings could shed light on how genetic variation affects behavior and disease risk in humans, through shared biological pathways.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could improve our understanding of how genetic differences shape behavior and susceptibility to certain conditions in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work using hybrid zones has shown promise in linking genes to behavioral traits, suggesting this approach is fruitful.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia Univ New York Morningside
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Delmore, Kira — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
- Study coordinator: Delmore, Kira
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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.