LIfestyle-Genotype Holistic inTeractions on mortality

The LIGHT project (“LIfestyle-Genotype Holistic inTeractions on mortality”) investigates the interactions between polygenic risk scores (PRSs) and key lifestyle factors—physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, and diet quality—on all-cause mortality in a Southern European population, aiming to improve personalized health recommendations. The project will leverage data from the CORDELIA meta-cohort, encompassing 196,632 participants with up to 30 years of follow-up, to calculate PRSs based on the latest genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and harmonize lifestyle variables across cohorts. The main objectives are: 1) Calculate all PRSs available for diseases and risk factors using the most updated GWAS studies and CORDELIA genotype data; and 2) Identify and validate interactions between PRSs and lifestyle factors on mortality risk in both a Discovery phase and a Replication phase. The project employs an interdisciplinary approach, integrating genetic epidemiology, public health, personalized medicine, and advanced statistical methods, with a focus on the gender dimension. The LIGHT project will allow a Career Development Plan that focuses on advancing my skills in project management, leadership, and funding acquisition through formal training, mentorship, and hands-on experience, positioning me for a tenure-track position and leadership within the CORDELIA network. By the project's end, LIGHT will establish new protocols for gene-lifestyle interaction studies, contribute to public health strategies, and generate open-access educational materials, while also addressing European health priorities and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The results are expected to enhance personalized health interventions, reduce healthcare costs, and improve population health and life expectancy.