Investigating causal interactions between physical activity and cardiometabolic disease via polygenic risk scores (GenActive)
Description: Human behaviour and disease progression are affected by environmental factors, genetic inheritance and their complex interplay. Genetic contributions to complex traits and diseases, such as PA and cardiometabolic disease (CMD), are polygenic. Novel polygenic risk scores summarise genome-wide genotype data into single variables that produce individual-level risk scores for genetic liability. This study seeks to research causal associations between genetic inheritance, physical activity and CMD by utilising large population based datasets (FinnGen, HUNT), genetically controlled longitudinal follow-up data on twins (Finnish twin cohort), polygenic scores and advance statistical methods. Further, I aim to use DNA methylation data to identify potential mechanisms and pathways that regulate associations between genetic risk and CMD and mortality and validate these findings with gene expression analysis and metabolomics.
Funder: Academy of Finland
Amount: €447,700
Funding type: fellowship
Funder scheme: Academy Research Fellow 2020
Start date: 2021-01-01
End date: 2026-08-31
Investigator:
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Funded outputs count: 16
Funder award ID: 341750
OpenAlex ID: G8981855123