# Identifying Biomarkers of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in U.S. Veterans using an Integrative Multi-Omics Approach

> **NIH VA IK2** · VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2021 · —

## Abstract

The ultimate goal of the CDA-2 is for Dr. Montalvo-Ortiz to obtain training in advanced methods of
statistical genetics, functional genomics and bioinformatics to identify molecular biomarkers of
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can help monitor the progression of PTSD and inform
prevention efforts and personalized care for U.S. veterans. To accomplish this goal, she will
investigate the epigenomics and transcriptomics of PTSD in veterans using an integrative multi-omics
approach. This study is innovative because it represents the largest longitudinal study, to date, of the
epigenomics of PTSD in U.S. veterans, will address the causality of the epigenetic biomarkers
identified, and will use cutting-edge bioinformatic methods to prioritize biomarkers for PTSD by
integrating different datasets. This study will leverage current knowledge and provide novel insights
on the etiology of PTSD needed to improve the healthcare for U.S. veterans that suffer from this
disorder. The proposed research and training plans are highly complementary; Dr. Montalvo-Ortiz will
acquire crucial new knowledge and skillsets that will advance her work to include 1) longitudinal
analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation data; 2) RNA-sequencing analysis; 3) integration of multi-
omics (DNA methylation-gene expression) datasets; and 4) functional genomics analysis using
existing and novel bioinformatics tools. This CDA-2 grant will augment her neuroscience training and
initial exposure in the study of the effects of trauma in psychiatric disorders with advanced and
cutting-edge skills in psychiatric genomics and bioinformatics. Her mentorship is composed by a
multidisciplinary group of established field-leading researchers at VA CT Healthcare and Yale. The
innovative research and the supportive and collaborative environment of these institutions will equip
her well in developing into an independent VA researcher with the tools necessary to conduct
rigorous integrative multi-omics research on some of the most prevalent and disabling psychiatric
disorders in U.S. veterans.
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## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10091302
- **Project number:** 5IK2CX002095-02
- **Recipient organization:** VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Janitza Liz Montalvo-Ortiz
- **Activity code:** IK2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-01-01 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10091302

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10091302, Identifying Biomarkers of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in U.S. Veterans using an Integrative Multi-Omics Approach (5IK2CX002095-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10091302. Licensed CC0.

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