Aims of the Research
This project aims to explore how genetic factors (e.g., DNA variants) and non-genetic factors (e.g., lifestyle, obesity, and diabetes) contribute to diseases that affect small and large blood vessels. We will focus on studying the links between these factors and vascular diseases, such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure, using cutting-edge imaging of the eye, genetic and biomarker analyses, and health-related outcomes data. Our ultimate goal is to early identify individuals with an increased risk and to improve prevention and treatment strategies for these conditions.
Scientific Rationale
Vascular diseases are a major cause of illness and death worldwide, affecting millions of people and significantly reducing their quality of life. These diseases often go undetected until severe complications arise, like heart attack or stroke. The eye provides a unique opportunity for early detection because its blood vessels are directly visible, offering clues about overall vascular health. By combining advanced eye imaging with genetic and lifestyle information, this research seeks to uncover key risk factors, paving the way for earlier diagnoses and personalized care.
Project Duration
The project will be conducted over three years, during which we will use state-of-the-art technologies like Optical Coherence Tomography to analyse the retina, along with genetic, lifestyle, and other health-related outcomes data from the large UK Biobank cohort.
Public Health Impact and Benefits
This research could transform public health by making it easier to detect and manage vascular diseases. For the public, this means:
1. Earlier Diagnosis: Non-invasive markers, e.g. eye scans, can detect pathologies before symptoms appear, enabling timely interventions to prevent severe complications.
2. Personalized Medicine: By understanding individual risk factors, treatment approaches can be tailored to specific needs, thereby improving their effectiveness.
3. Improved Quality of Life: Reducing the burden of vascular diseases can lead to longer, healthier lives for millions of people.
4. Cost Savings: Early detection and prevention can reduce healthcare costs by avoiding ex-pensive treatments for advanced disease complications.
5. Empowered Communities: Public awareness about lifestyle factors, such as diet and exer-cise, will be informed by our findings, helping people take charge of their health.
We follow a holistic approach to investigate vascular diseases to improving vascular and over-all health, ultimately benefiting individuals, families, and society as a whole. Furthermore, this project underscores the idea of “the eye as a window to the body” offering new ways to pro-tect and improve health status.