Research Objectives
This study explores how genetics, environmental exposures (e.g., infections, lifestyle, pollutants, social and psychological factors), and aging collectively influence human health across the lifespan. By leveraging longitudinal data and multi-omics approaches (e.g., proteomics, imaging, and clinical data), we aim to uncover dynamic mechanisms underlying disease onset, progression, and outcomes. Additionally, we will investigate how the genetic and environmental factors affect health at different stages of life and how these effects evolve over time.
Research Questions
1. Disease Mechanisms and Outcomes
* How do genetics and environmental exposures (including infections, lifestyle, pollutants, and social and psychological factors) interact to influence disease risk, progression, and outcomes across the lifespan?
* How do the effects of these factors vary at different stages of life, and how do their impacts accumulate or change over time?
* What roles do aging and immune systems play in modulating health and disease, and how do these factors contribute to comorbidities?
* Can we identify shared genetic and molecular mechanisms that explain the co-occurrence of multiple diseases?
2. Predictive Models for Health Trajectories
* How can multi-modal data (e.g., genetics, environmental exposures, and clinical measurements) be integrated into predictive models to forecast disease onset, progression, and outcomes?
3. Personalized Medicine and Pharmacogenomics
* How do genetic and molecular profiles influence individual responses to medications
* Can biomarkers be identified to predict adverse drug reactions or optimize therapeutic outcomes for individuals with complex health conditions?
