The new branch will research the best ways to inform individuals of their risks for certain genetic conditions, develop interventions to reduce the risk of disease in genetically susceptible people and translate genome discoveries into clinical practice. Researchers will also delve into the social, ethical and legal effects of genome research, says behavioral epidemiologist Colleen McBride, Ph.D., who will head up the branch.

Research units within the new branch will include behavioral genetics, health communications, genetic counseling, health promotion, community genetics and an ethics and social policy unit.

McBride will also lead the development of a trans-NIH Social and Behavioral Science Center. She and others at NIH hope the SBSC will speed collaborations between social and behavioral scientists scattered throughout the Institutes.

“Many perspectives will be needed to translate human genome discoveries into interventions that can address public health problems such as obesity,” McBride said. “Having a group of social and behavioral scientists that cross the institutes of NIH in shared space is a new way of doing business that — in my mind — will enable the kinds of ongoing conversations and collaborations that are needed to encourage health research innovation.”

To read about the other researchers in the new NHGRI research branch, go here.