# Trans-omics integration of multi-omics studies for male osteoporosis

> **NIH NIH U19** · TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA · 2021 · $1,705,820

## Abstract

Overall Abstract
Osteoporosis is mainly characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and its risk later in life can be most
powerfully predicted by peak BMD achieved at ages 20-40. Although women have higher risk to osteoporosis, men
suffer much higher morbidity and mortality rates following osteoporotic fractures. The (epi-)genetic factors
underlying the majority of the BMD heritability (>85%) (especially those sex-specific ones) are largely unknown
mainly due to the limitation of the technology and approaches used. Studies focusing on male osteoporosis are rare.
 Our General Hypothesis is that: while individual omics studies (genome/transcriptome/epigenome) are useful,
integrative trans-omics analyses of multi-omics data will be much more productive and more powerful, in not only
identifying novel risk (epi-)genes/variants, but also most importantly illuminating their functions in vivo in humans.
 The Overall Goal of this U19 program project (PPG) is to most comprehensively identify/characterize (epi-
)genes/environmental factors and their functional mechanisms for male osteoporosis risk. We will pioneer a
comprehensive and novel approach by investigating osteoporosis risk factors simultaneously at the genome- (DNA,
Proj 1), transcriptome- (mRNA and miRNA, Proj 2), and epigenome- (DNA methylation, Proj 3) levels in males,
while considering environmental factors (Proj 1-3). We will assess sex/ethnicity/population specificity of the
identified (epi-)genes (Proj 1-3). Furthermore, we will perform in-depth functional studies (as exemplified in Proj 3)
for detailed molecular mechanisms and functional confirmation of specific novel osteoporosis susceptibility
genes/variants to be discovered. Particularly, in addition to the state-of-the-art analyses of individual omics data in
Proj 1-3 respectively, we will go beyond the horizon to develop/apply innovative analytical approaches (Core C) to
characterize interactions within and across different omics (such as interactions for miRNA-methylation, and
regulation of mRNA by DNA variants and by miRNA/methylation). We will (in Core C) innovatively integrate such
interactions across various -omics to identify/characterize (epi-)genetic variants for male osteoporosis (Proj 1-3).
 The PPG has three supporting cores: A) Administrative Core; B) Clinical Core; and C) Biostatistics and
Bioinformatics Core. Each core serves all the three projects and/or the other cores.
 Identifying (epi)genes/environmental factors AND their in vivo functional mechanisms for human BMD variation,
especially for men, is necessary and important for 1) gaining comprehensive insights into the fundamental molecular
and environmental mechanisms underlying risk of osteoporosis, 2) discovering novel pathways and druggable
targets for therapeutic cures; 3) identifying (epi-)genetically susceptible individuals, so that future preventions and
interventions can be targeted to and based on individuals’ specific (epi-)genotypes.
 This PPG is ex...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10180814
- **Project number:** 5U19AG055373-05
- **Recipient organization:** TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
- **Principal Investigator:** HONG-WEN DENG
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $1,705,820
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-15 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10180814

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10180814, Trans-omics integration of multi-omics studies for male osteoporosis (5U19AG055373-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10180814. Licensed CC0.

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