Investigating causal interactions between physical activity and cardiometabolic disease via polygenic risk scores (GenActive) (GenActive)

Main funder

Funder's project number: 361981

Funds granted by main funder (€)

Funding program

Project timetable

Project start date: 01/05/2024

Project end date: 31/08/2026

Summary

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.

Principal Investigator

Other persons related to this project (JYU)

Primary responsible unit

Follow-up groups