Approved Research

Investigating the complex associations of environmental factors, genetic background, broad phenotypes with the gut-organ axis

Lay summary

The "gut-organ axis" denotes a bidirectional relationship between the gastrointestinal system and other organs, with complex interplays between gut microbiota and the host's immune system playing essential roles. Although the most reported connections involve the gut and brain, kidney, heart, liver, skin, and bone diseases, the extensive associations between multiple gastrointestinal diseases and these organ disorders require further exploration. Additionally, discovering other gut-organ axes, understanding their unique and shared etiologies, and uncovering potential molecular mechanisms are also essential. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the individual and joint associations of environmental factors, genetic background, and broad phenotypes with gut-organ axis diseases and examine the causality between risk factors and these diseases. We will also comprehensively investigate links between gastrointestinal diseases and multi-organ diseases, establishing unique and shared genetic and environmental etiologies among gut-organ axis diseases. Our project is estimated to take 36 months to complete. Our findings may deepen the understanding of the gastrointestinal system's complex role and its vital relationship with other human organs, and provide significant public health implications for preventing and treating gastrointestinal diseases and their comorbidities in the gut-organ axis.