NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) — Research Triangle Institute International has received a grant for up to $6.8 million from the National Human Genome Research Institute to develop standards for large genome-wide association and epidemiological studies, RTI said today.
RTI said the three-year project, called PhenX, will use population-based genomics studies initially to focus on cardiovascular, neurologic, endocrinologic, and renal disorders.
"In recent years, there have been many good studies looking at the relationship between genetics and various health conditions and diseases," Carol Hamilton, RTI’s director of bioinformatics, said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the lack of standard measures in these studies often does not allow researchers to combine or compare their findings.”
Hamilton said the goal of the project is to develop standards that will help integrate population-based studies with smaller, complementary studies in ways that enable researchers to better understand genetics and environmental factors.