Research Question:
How does genetic inheritance, family, behaviours and environmental exposures from early-life through adult period affect human health and social outcomes in later life?
Objectives:
1. Investigate the biological embedding of early-life exposures in chronic diseases and aging using multi-omics data.
2. Identify and characterize shared biomarkers of age-related diseases and their mediators using biobank data, with a focus on cross-disease biological processes.
3. Develop a robust, standardized definition of age-related diseases to enable direct comparisons across studies and improve healthspan research.
4. Examine the influence of intergenerational transmission, fertility, education, employment, and environmental factors on the risk and progression of age-related diseases.
5. Evaluate how chronic diseases and aging-related biomarkers influence social outcomes (education, lifestyle, income, deprivation, occupation, etc.).
Scientific Rationale
Age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and dementia, are leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally, often studied in isolation despite their interconnected nature. Environmental and behavioural exposures (e.g., nutrition, tobacco, pollutants) are hypothesized to accelerate biological aging and increase disease susceptibility. A multi-omics, quasi-experimental approach will elucidate the mechanisms through which these exposures impact aging and chronic disease risk. Furthermore, creating a standardized framework for defining age-related diseases will enhance the reproducibility of future healthspan studies and improve insights into intergenerational and environmental influences on disease and social trajectories.