Research Questions & Objectives
This study investigates how gene-environment interactions influence the risk and progression of digestive diseases (e.g., GERD, IBD, CRC, NAFLD) and their cardiometabolic comorbidities. We aim to:
1. Identify key environmental exposures (e.g., air pollution, diet, lifestyle) that interact with genetic susceptibility to modulate disease risk.
2. Elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms (via gut microbiome, metabolome, proteome, and immune-inflammation networks) through which these interactions operate.
3. Develop integrated risk prediction models by combining multi-omics and exposome data to enable personalized prevention.
Scientific Rationale
The growing global burden of digestive and chronic diseases highlights the limitation of one-size-fits-all prevention. Individual risk is shaped by the interplay of genetic predisposition and environmental exposures. The UK Biobank provides an unprecedented resource to decode this complexity. Using its large-scale genetic, multi-omics, and environmental data, we will map the pathways through which lifestyle and environmental factors trigger disease in genetically susceptible individuals. This research will generate crucial evidence for advancing personalized medicine, moving beyond broad recommendations to targeted, mechanism-informed strategies for early prevention and intervention.