Approved Research
Genetic Determinants and Gene-Environment Interactions of Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
Lay summary
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death and produces immense health and economic burdens worldwide. While advances have been made in understanding the complex pathogenic processes on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions, translation of genetic findings for improved diagnosis or prevention of CVD has not materialized in a meaningful way. There is a critical need to identify causal pathways and biological mechanisms involved in the development of CVD through integrative systems genetics strategies and identify the gene-environment (GxE) interactions using the large size of UK Biobank data, which could lead to the development of potentially novel therapeutic strategies in highly susceptible individuals. The genotype and clinical binary and quantitative traits we request from all UK Biobank participants will be used for statistical analyses. Based on the combined statistical expertise of our team, we are confident that the proposed studies can all be accomplished with the scope of 3 years. By investigating the genetic basis of major cardiovascular conditions and cardiometabolic risk factor traits, our proposed analyses will shed additional light on the causal pathway and biological mechanisms underlying the development of CVD and identify novel therapeutic targets and/or risk stratification tools. Therefore, these studies would be consistent with UK Biobank's stated purpose to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of illnesses, including heart diseases.
New scope:
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death and produces immense health and economic burdens worldwide, Given the growing number of young patients suffering from hypertension, obesity and diabetes, the prevalence of CVD will further increase in the coming decades. How to get a better understanding of the pathophysiology of CVD and develop potentially novel therapeutic strategies in highly susceptible individuals become an urgent and meaningful issue. By investigating the genetic basis and gene-environment (GxE) interactions of major cardiovascular conditions and cardiometabolic risk factor traits, our proposed analyses aim to shed additional light on the causal pathway and biological mechanisms underlying the development of CVD and identify novel therapeutic targets and/or risk stratification tools.
In addition to CVD, there are several other diseases that are known to have significant links and interactions with cardiovascular health, including metabolic disease, respiratory system diseases, digestive system diseases, neurological diseases, inflammatory diseases, renal diseases, and cancers. By accessing data on these related diseases, we could better inform the development of better prevention strategies, targeted interventions, and personalized treatments for individuals at risk of or affected by CVD.