Causal associations of novel and established risk factors with type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease and cardiovascular disease in UK Biobank

The aim of this project is to identify the factors that accelerate type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease and cardiovascular disease. Such knowledge will give important insights regarding the etiological understanding of these diseases and help to identify new prevention strategies.
The estimated project duration would be three years. First, we will study associations of circulating and urinary biomarkers, physical measurements and lifestyle factors with type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease and cardiovascular disease. Then we will perform genetic studies using the GWAS genetic data for those risk factors to establish common genetic variation associated with respective biomarker, physical measurement and lifestyle factors. Finally, we will perform Mendelian randomization analyses to study whether these exposures and other candidate phenotypes are causally related to type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease and cardiovascular disease and their risk factors. Chronic disease is the leading cause of death in UK and globally, and places a huge burden on the afflicted individuals, their families and society as a whole. Therefore, new approaches to prevent and treat these diseases are urgently needed.