Our project aims to leverage the newly available UK Biobank (UKBB) 500k Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data, released at the end of last year, in combination with existing DXA scan data to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on fat and lean muscle distribution. Previous GWASs on body composition have primarily focused on simpler measures, such as waist-hip ratio (WHR), without incorporating advanced imaging techniques or comprehensive genomic data like WGS. The UKBB, with its extensive WGS and DXA scan images, represents a unique and unparalleled opportunity to explore the genetic determinants of body composition at a scale not previously possible.
To our knowledge, no GWAS has yet utilized DXA image data for body composition studies on such a large scale, due to the high costs and logistical challenges associated with obtaining this data in extensive cohorts. By focusing on the UK Biobank dataset, our study will not only identify genetic risk loci associated with fat and lean muscle mass distribution but also explore their contributions to cardiometabolic diseases. We will further apply mendelian randomization to assess the causal relationships between these genetic loci and cardiometabolic diseases, providing new insights into the genetic factors that influence these conditions.