Human disease is often associated with dysfunctions in the immune system or metabolism. These dysfunctions are frequently linked to variations in the gut microbiome—the collection of microorganisms inhabiting the human gut. To effectively prevent disease, it is crucial to understand how metabolism, immunity, and the gut microbiome vary within the population and how these variations contribute to disease development.
This thesis of Sergio Andreu Sánchez leverages data from large population cohorts to explore the variability of key immunological, metabolic, and microbial factors. Utilizing advanced novel technologies, it examines the diversity of antibody repertoires, telomere lengths of immune cells, concentrations of health-related metabolites in blood, and the genetic variation of the gut microbiome. The findings demonstrate how these variations are influenced by human lifestyle, the exposome, and genetics, and propose new potential targets for improving health.
