# Evolution of genetic disease risks over time and space

> **NIH NIH R35** · GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2023 · $376,117

## Abstract

Project summary
This research project bridges the gap between evolutionary genetics and genetic
epidemiology. In the past few years, a large number of genome-wide association
studies have identified thousands of disease susceptibility loci. However, the vast
majority of these studies have focused on individuals with European ancestry. Many
disease loci have yet to be discovered, and disease-associations that are presently
known suffer from ascertainment bias. A major public health challenge is to
accurately predict hereditary disease risks in other populations. Previous work has
revealed that hereditary disease risks have evolved over human history and that
disease risks are correlated with different genetic ancestries. This proposed research
plan combines multiple approaches: analysis of ancient and modern genomes,
mathematical modeling, and bioinformatics tool development. It examines the
evolutionary causes of differences in genetic disease risks across populations, and it
will help extend precision medicine to individuals who have diverse ancestries. By
applying genomic medicine approaches to ancient DNA, this project will be result in
a better understanding of how health and disease have evolved in the recent past.
Mathematical models and computer simulations will be used to generate testable
predictions about what sorts of genetic architectures contribute the most to health
inequities. This project includes development of a novel ancestry painting approach
that will improve predictions of hereditary disease risks for individuals whose
genomes contain a mix of different ancestries. This project also involves generating
improved genetic risk scores that correct for ascertainment bias and evolutionary
history while incorporating details of molecular cell biology. The effectiveness of
this approach will be assessed using phenotypic data from multiple populations. A
major goal of this project is to understand how disease risks have come to vary
across the globe, and this work will help extend the benefits of genomic medicine to
individuals who have diverse ancestries.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10673157
- **Project number:** 5R35GM133727-05
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Joseph L. Lachance
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $376,117
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-05 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10673157

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10673157, Evolution of genetic disease risks over time and space (5R35GM133727-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10673157. Licensed CC0.

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