A genomics approach to unravelling the link between steroid hormone dysregulation and cardio-metabolic disease

Steroid hormone dysregulation has been linked to nearly all leading causes of death, notably cardio-metabolic diseases.

Despite this, the aetiological contribution of steroid hormones to such disease is poorly understood and its potential as a therapeutic target remains largely unexplored.

To fill this gap, I seek to pioneer a new aetiological understanding of steroid hormone dysregulation and its health consequences through multiple complementary data-driven approaches.

I will do the following: - Identify the genomic basis of steroid regulation through large-scale genetic studies of steroid hormones, steroidogenic enzymes, and regulating peptides. - Pinpoint the tissues, genes and biological mechanisms involved in steroid dysregulation in men and women, through the vertical integration of genetics with tissue-specific molecular trait data.

As part of this, I will set up an omics atlas of the adrenal gland and the ovary. - Map out the metabolic and regulatory relationships between steroid hormones and related traits through the identification of genetically determined multi-dimensional steroid traits. - Conduct a genomics-driven identification of new therapeutic pathways and protein targets to correct disease-causing steroid imbalances.

In short, this research agenda will not only uncover the aetiological pathways linking the steroid endocrine system to cardio-metabolic disease, but also instigate novel treatment strategies.