Active Funded Research Support

Adiposity, Disease Risk Factors, and Lifetime Health
PI: Siervogel RM
Co-I's: Chumlea WmC, Czerwinski SA, Demerath EW, Sun S, Towne B
Funding agency: NIH/NICHD (R01HD12252)
Dates for award: 12/01/2004 – 11/30/2009
Total cost: $6,038,098

Abstract: This project involves the collection and analysis of long-term serial data from the Fels Longitudinal Study. Data are related to indices and measures of body fatness, adipose tissue distribution, lifestyle, lipids and lipoproteins, blood pressure, and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Analyses concern prediction of future states, associations among measures of body composition and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and patterns of change in individuals.

Genetic Epidemiology of CVD Risk Factors
PI: Siervogel RM
Co-I's: Chumlea WmC, Czerwinski SA, Demerath EW, Towne B
Funding agency: NIH/NHLBI (R01HL69995)
Dates for award: 12/01/2002 – 11/30/2008
Total cost: $3,647,880

Abstract: This grant is part of a collaborative effort directed toward elucidating the role of genetic factors that may influence risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to ultimately identify specific genes influencing the age-related progression of CVD risks.

Genetic Regulation of Adiposity and Associated CVD Risks
PI: Towne B
Co-I's: Czerwinski SA, Demerath EW, Siervogel RM
Funding agency: NIH/NIDDK (R01DK064391)
Dates for award: 08/01/2003 – 07/31/2008
Total cost: $2,770,123

Abstract: The main goal of the proposed study is to discover genes that jointly influence measures of adiposity and associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks, with the ultimate objective being to elucidate the role of new adiposity genes as mediators of related CVD risks. The study focuses on measures of abdominal visceral fat and abdominal subcutaneous fat obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and measures of total body fat and regional body fat obtained from dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), to determine the nature of their genetic associations with particular sets of CVD risks known to be influenced by adiposity.

Genetic, Somatic, and Maturational Influences on Pediatric Skeletal Health
PI: Duren DL
Co-I's: Blangero J, Curran J, Siervogel R, Towne B
Funding Agency: NIH/NICHD (R01 HD056247)
Dates: 09/25/2007 – 07/31/2012
Total Cost: $2,522,873

Abstract: A fundamental aspect of childhood growth and development is the buildup and maintenance of a strong skeleton. The regulation of skeletal mass during childhood is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The ultimate goal of the proposed study is to identify genes involved in pediatric skeletal health in the context of somatic growth and skeletal maturation.

Longitudinal Cardiac Outcomes and Body Composition
PI: Siervogel RM
Co-I's: Chumlea WmC
(Subcontract with Virginia Commonwealth University)
Funding agency: NIH/NHLBI (R01HL072838)
Dates for award: 01/16/2004 – 12/31/2008
Total cost: $2,496,794

Abstract: The goals of the 5-year project are to link adult cardiac structure with growth in body size and composition during early childhood, adolescence and post-adolescence and to study, during adulthood, the relations of cardiac structure and hemodynamic parameters to concurrent measures of body size and composition.

Genetic Analysis of Osteoporosis Risk Factors
PI: Czerwinski S
Co-I's: Demerath EW, Siervogel RM, Towne B
Funding agency: NIH/NIAMS (R01AR052147)
Dates for award: 09/01/2005 – 06/30/2010
Total cost: $ 2,338,967

Abstract: The study investigates the genetic determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) and measures of bone quality in a sample of 2,000 adult individuals from large extended pedigrees. The main goal of the study is the identification of genes influencing BMD and measures of bone quality, as well as the identification of genes that have joint influences on these traits.

Childhood Precursors for Adulthood Metabolic Syndrome
PI: Siervogel RM
Co-I's: Towne B, Chumlea WmC, Daniels SR
(Subcontract with Virginia Commonwealth University)
Funding agency: NIH/NIDDK (R01DK071485)
Dates for award: 09/30/2004 – 07/31/2009
Total cost: $2,247,969

Abstract: The goal of this longitudinal cohort study is to link the metabolic syndrome in adults to their childhood risk factors using long-term serial data collected from birth in male and female participants in the Fels Longitudinal Study.

The Genetics of Infant Growth and Later Obesity
PI: Towne B
Co-I's: Choh A, Czerwinski SA, Sun SS, Blangero J
(Subcontract with University of Minnesota)
Funding agency: NIH/NICHD (R01HD053685)
Dates: 09/26/2006 – 07/31/2011
Total cost: $1,877,469

Abstract: The proposed study uses serial growth and BMI data from 675 related individuals in the Fels Longitudinal Study to identify genes involved in infant growth and their possible pleiotropic effects on BMI and the risk of overweight and obesity during childhood and adolescence.

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Childhood Growth
PI: Towne B
Co-I's: Czerwinski SA, Williams-Blangero S, Subedi J, Rai DR
Funding agency: NIH/NICHD (R01HD40377)
Dates for award: 03/01/2002 – 02/28/2008
Total cost: $1,737,117

Abstract: The object of the proposed study is to elucidate the roles of genetic and environmental factors influencing childhood growth and development. This will be accomplished by establishing a longitudinal study of a large cohort of related children in rural Nepal where gastrointestinal disease (helminthic and protozoan infections in particular) are endemic.

Visceral Adiposity: Genetic and Environmental Influences
PI: Czerwinski SA
Co-I's: Siervogel RM, Towne B
Funding agency: NIH/NIDDK (R01DK064870)
Dates for award: 09/20/2003 – 07/31/2008
Total cost: $1,656,488

Abstract: The goal of the study is to identify genomic regions influencing the deposition of visceral adipose tissue, and to determine how the genetic control of visceral obesity may be modified by environmental (behavioral) factors such as physical activity and diet. In addition, the genetic epidemiology of systemic inflammation and hormonal dysregulation, which frequently accompany and are exacerbated by visceral obesity, will be explored.

Genetic Architecture of the Human Craniofacial Complex
PI: Sherwood R
Co-I's: Duren D, Siervogel RM, Towne B
Funding agency: NIH/NIDCR (R01DE016692)
Dates for award: 04/15/2005 – 01/31/2009
Total cost: $1,205,792

Abstract: Understanding the nature of genetic influences on the regions of the cranium are of critical importance to a wide variety of clinicians. As it becomes increasingly possible to incorporate gene therapy and tissue engineering when approaching repair of craniofacial dysmorphology (congenital or acquired), studies that elucidate the genetic underpinnings of continuous phenotypes typifying normal variation in craniofacial morphology are of critical importance. The ultimate objective of the proposed pilot study is to discover genes that influence human craniofacial morphology. This will be accomplished through a series of analyses aimed at elucidating fundamental aspects of the genetic architecture of the human craniofacial complex.

Childhood Obesity and Sexual Maturation
PI: Lee M
(Subcontract with Virginia Commonwealth University)
Funding agency: NIH/NICHD (R01HD38356)
Dates of award: 12/01/2007 – 11/30/2011
Total cost: $367,650

Abstract: The purpose of this project is to analyze long-term serial data, collected from birth to twenty years of age for boys and girls in the Fels Longitudinal Study, thereby providing insights into the maturation process and development in fat distribution, bone mineral content, and related risk factors for disease.

Genetic Architecture of the Baboon Craniofacial Complex
PI: Sherwood R
Co-I's: Duren D, Towne B
Funding agency: NIH/NIDCR (R21DE016408)
Dates for award: 08/29/2005 – 05/31/2008
Total cost: $341,807

Abstract: The ultimate objective of this project is to elucidate fundamental aspects of the genetic architecture of the baboon craniofacial complex in order to develop an appropriate animal model for study of the genetic contributions to human craniofacial morphogenesis. Heritability of each trait will be estimated, and genetic and environmental correlations matrices will be examined for all traits. This study of the genetic architecture of the craniofacial complex in baboons will provide the necessary ground work needed to establish the baboon as an animal model for the study of genetic and non-genetic influences on craniofacial variation.

Genetic Epidemiology of BDA3 in an Endogamous Population
PI: Williams KD
Funding agency: NIH/NICHD (F32 HD053206)
Dates: 08/01/2006 – 03/31/2009
Total cost: $126,200

Abstract: The goals of this NRSA fellowship are to learn modern statistical genetic methods and to elucidate the role of genetic factors influencing the expression of a common form of brachydactyly, BDA3, in the endogamous Jirel ethnic group in eastern Nepal.

Genetic Analysis of Ankle-brachial Index and Peripheral Arterial Disease Risk
PI: Lee M
Funding agency: American Heart Association (AHA), Beginning-Grant-In-Aid program (0665256B)
Dates: 07/01/06 – 06/30/08
Total Cost: $121,000

Abstract: The proposed study will estimate the genetic contribution to quantitative variation in the ABI levels of 600 adults in the Fels Longitudinal Study. Our ultimate goal is to better understand the genetic architecture of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and to identify genes that influence ABI and consequently, PAD risk. Examination of the genetics underlying ABI may provide more insight into how PAD develops and how cardiovascular disease risk factors are related to PAD.

The AAOF Craniofacial Growth Legacy Collection:  Pilot and Planning Application
Co-PI's: L.A. Will, J.A. McNamara, S. Baumrind, T.E. Southard, D.A. Covell, C. Evans, R.J. Sherwood, G.F. Currier, M.G. Hans, B.D. Tompson, E. Richardson.
Funding agency: American Association of Orthodontists Foundation
Dates for award: 07/01/2008 – 06/30/2009
Total cost: $120,000

Abstract: The aims of this pilot project are to inventory the 10 largest collections of longitudinal cranial radiographs available in the US. A small sample of radiographs for each collection will be scanned using standardized settings. A database of these images will created and made available via the web to qualified individuals.

Healthy Joints: Genetic and Environmental Influences
PI: Dana Duren
CoI's: Richard Sherwood, Bradford Towne
Funding agency: Wright State University Research Challenge
Dates of award: 01/01/2008 – 12/31/2008
Amount: $23,000

Abstract: This grant funds data collection in Nepal and new knee radiographic techniques in the Jiri Osteoarthritis Study, and provides an early start to the NIH grant, "Genetics of Joint Health and Risk of Osteoarthritis," currently under review.

Development of a Computer-Based Analysis Method for Skeletal Maturity
PI: Chumlea C
Co-I's: Duren D, Hangartner T
Funding agency: Wright State University Research Challenge (WSU # 667132)
Dates of award: 01/01/2008 – 12/31/2008
Amount: $18,000

Abstract: The goal of the overall project is the development of an automatic computer-based analysis method to establish skeletal age from radiographic images from traditional x-ray procedures and through DXA scanners.