Research questions
Noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) constitute a growing global health burden, yet the interplay between environmental exposures and lifestyle factors in their pathogenesis remains poorly characterized. Current studies often examine isolated risk factors, failing to address the systematic integration of multi-dimensional exposome data.
Research objectives
This project aims to: (i) Investigate the interactions among air pollution, lifestyle factors, and genetic predisposition in influencing the onset, progression, and mortality risk of NCDs, based on general and genetic data; (ii) Develop novel models for early screening and diagnosis of NCDs using general and multi-omics data; (iii) Further explore potential biological pathways and mechanisms underlying NCDs by integrating omics data and corresponding genetic data.
Scientific rationale for the research
The escalating prevalence and mortality trends of NCDs, driven by demographic aging, rapid urbanization, and lifestyle modifications, impose substantial burdens on healthcare infrastructures and socioeconomic systems. Environmental exposures (notably ambient air pollutants and noise exposure) coupled with lifestyle factors (including tobacco use, suboptimal dietary patterns, physical inactivity, and obesity) serve as principal etiological determinants in NCD pathogenesis. Epidemiological evidence demonstrates significant positive associations between chronic PM2.5 exposure and incident cardiovascular disease as well as pulmonary neoplasms, while sedentary lifestyles and nutritional imbalances have been established as predominant risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. Nevertheless, the synergistic interactions among these exposures and their combined effects on disease trajectories remain incompletely characterized, particularly with respect to gene-environment interplay and long-term exposure dynamics.