Why are men and women so different? - Investigating sex-specific genomic-risk and telomere length (360G-Wellcome-318946_Z_24_Z)

My research focuses on sex-specific genetic determinants of telomere length (TL), a biomarker associated with ageing, disease, and longevity. Understanding the sex differences in TL are essential for explaining divergent health outcomes between men and women. This project aims to investigate the genetic architecture underlying TL variation and its impact on disease across sexes. Using large-scale datasets like the UK Biobank, I will investigate the epidemiological relationship between TL and disease, stratified by sex. Sex- specific genome-wide association studies (GWAS) will identify TL-associated variants. These findings will inform the development of sex-specific polygenic risk scores (PRS), improving predictions of disease risk. Additionally, sex- specific mendelian randomisation (MR) will assess causal links between TL and diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), incorporating the role of sex hormones. The influence of genetic ancestry on these associations will also be explored, providing an understanding of how TL contributes to sex- based health disparities. This research will enhance the precision of genetic risk models and contribute to a deeper understanding of sex-specific health outcomes.