Research question and Objective
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs), including heart failure, stroke, and dementia, account for over 30% of global deaths, with aging populations further exacerbating this burden. Despite advances in understanding genetic and lifestyle risk factors, the interplay between environmental exposures (e.g., air pollution, noise), metabolic changes, and molecular mechanisms (e.g., genomics, proteomics) remains poorly understood. To address this gap, we aim to leverage the UK Biobank’s rich multi-omics (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics), environmental, and lifestyle data to:
1.Identify novel risk factors and biomarkers for CCVDs by integrating multi-omics and environmental data.
2.Explore causal relationships between environmental exposures, molecular changes, and disease progression.
3.Develop predictive models to stratify individuals at high risk of CCVDs, enabling early intervention.
Scientific rationale
Circulating proteins and metabolites provide unique insights into disease mechanisms, reflecting genetic, environmental, and lifestyle influences. Previous studies have linked air pollution, physical inactivity, and metabolic dysregulation (e.g., elevated uric acid) to CCVDs, but these findings are often limited by single-omics approaches or observational designs. By combining multi-omics (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) with environmental and accelerometer-derived lifestyle data, we can uncover novel biomarkers, clarify causal pathways, and address limitations of traditional studies. This integrated approach will enable a comprehensive exploration of CCVDs, including heart failure, stroke, and dementia, providing a robust foundation for future prevention and treatment strategies.
