Metabolic and cardiovascular diseases (including type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) represent major global health burdens with complex pathophysiology involving metabolic dysregulation, genetic predisposition, and structural cardiovascular changes. Emerging evidence suggests these conditions arise from interactions between genetic variants, molecular biomarkers (serum metabolites, inflammatory proteins) and cardiovascular imaging phenotypes. However, comprehensive understanding of these relationships remains limited, hindering early diagnosis and personalized treatment.
This study will address four key objectives: First, we will identify genetic variants and multi-omics biomarkers (plasma metabolites, proteomic profiles, gut microbiome) associated with cardiovascular imaging phenotypes (arterial stiffness, myocardial structure, hepatic steatosis) using UK Biobank’s multimodal data. Second, we will integrate metabolomic, proteomic and genomic data to elucidate mechanistic pathways, particularly focusing on lipid metabolism, insulin signaling and inflammatory cascades. Third, we will develop predictive models combining multi-omics data to stratify disease risk and progression.Fourthly, This project aims to investigate how nutrition and metabolism influence the development and progression of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases by leveraging UK Biobank’s extensive phenotype and multi-omics data.
Our innovative approach bridges molecular-level risk factors with macroscopic cardiovascular changes, offering new insights into disease mechanisms. The research will advance precision medicine by developing: (1) Early detection algorithms combining genetic risk and metabolic profiles; (2) Novel stratification systems based on multi-omics signatures; (3) Personalized intervention strategies targeting specific metabolic pathways.
