Approved Research

Genetic, metabolomic, biochemical, anthropometric and lifestyle predictors of health and disease

Lay summary

There are many physiological and lifestyle influences on who gets ill and who stays healthy. To improve people's health and reduce burden of disease we need to investigate how these different factors interact. This project will investigate in what ways genes, diet, lifestyle, body weight and fitness predict who stays healthy, as well as predict who develops a variety of health conditions. Of those who develop disease, we will investigate the factors that are associated with how severe symptoms are as well what affects survival rates.

Specifically, we will investigate: 1.What are the relationships between dietary patterns, blood biochemistry, physical characteristics and i) disease severity and survival, ii) indicators of good health. 2. What are the relationships between genetics, metabolomics and proteomics (examining fats, carbohydrates, proteins and other tiny molecules in the blood) and i) disease severity and survival, ii) indicators of good health.  The above research questions meet the UK Biobank remit of improving population health. Moreover, this research will help scientists and doctors predict who will become ill and who will stay healthy, as well as informing clinical advice for patients who have disease.