Research Background:
Gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs)-including colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, inflammatory bowel disease , irritable bowel syndrome , gastroesophageal reflux disease , and non!alcoholic fatty liver disease-represent major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. These conditions arise from complex biological processes involving epithelial barrier dysfunction, microbiome imbalance, metabolic dysregulation, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and immune perturbations. Established risk factors-including obesity, smoking, alcohol use, poor diet, physical inactivity, and chronic infections-interact with genetic susceptibility, molecular alterations, environmental exposures, and behavioral factors to shape disease trajectories.
Objectives:
1.Identify genetic variants, microbiome signatures, and circulating multi!omics biomarkers associated with GIDs onset, progression, and prognosis.
2.Integrate genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, microbiome, and imaging!derived phenotypes to reveal key biological pathways and population!level heterogeneity.
3. Assess the causal impact of modifiable lifestyle and environmental exposures on GIDs risk and outcomes.
4.Characterize multimorbidity patterns and shared molecular mechanisms linking GIDs with other chronic conditions
Scientific rationale:
Gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs) stem from interconnected processes-including epithelial barrier dysfunction, microbiome imbalance, metabolic and immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation-shaped by genetic susceptibility and environmental/behavioral factors. Integrative multi-omics and imaging analyses can uncover early molecular and structural alterations, enhance risk stratification beyond conventional markers, and reveal modifiable pathways for prevention. Using UK Biobank data, we will develop predictive models, infer causal relationships, and identify actionable targets to advance precision prevention and public health strategies.
