Approved Research

Investigating Causality for Protein Risk Factors of CKD Progression and Cardiovascular Disease

Lay summary

An advanced biomarker assay called SomaScan is now available that can measure nearly 7000 proteins in a small drop of blood. My research group uses this assay in large cohort studies with thousands of research participants to research novel proteins associated with kidney and cardiovascular diseases. We are able to identify variations in genes that explain the levels of these proteins in human beings. We wish to utilize the vast genetic resources of the UK Biobank to address the research question, "Can we find evidence of causality for novel protein risk factors by investigating associations between specific genes that influence the protein levels in blood, and disease that occur in participants in the UK Biobank?" Our studies will utilize proteins associated with disease in cohorts we have already studied, as well as cohorts in which we are just starting to study, in a project within the UK Biobank over the next 3 years. We expect that the genetic and clinical database of UK Biobank will help us distinguish which proteins are potential causative factors for renal and cardiovascular disease. If a protein is a potential causal factor, it may be a potential therapeutic target and could lead to new pharmacologic treatments to prevent, ameliorate or cure disease.