Multi-omics Big Data Analysis
Large-scale omics data, represented by transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, is accumulating, harboring a wealth of information related to specific diseases, organs, and tissues. However, there is currently no standardized approach for efficiently integrating multi-omics data and interpreting internal information and knowledge. We aim to leverage deep learning framework to process the omics data, unravel the effects of environmental exposures and other factors on health, and elucidate the underlying biological mechanisms, such as genomic variations, epigenetic landscapes, and changes at the transcriptional and translational levels.

Prediction of Possible Pathways of PM2.5-mediated COVID-19 Transmission Based on Artificial Intelligence Tools


Based on single-cell transcriptomics data of environmental exposure, we train AI models to achieve pollution exposure classification, and infer the key pathways and molecular mechanisms of environmental exposure through gene perturbation analysis. In addition, by integrating massive single-cell transcriptomics data, we can infer the similarities and potential mechanisms between environmental exposure and various disease outcomes at the transcriptional level, providing tools and knowledge for epidemiology, toxicology, and biology. Taking PM2.5 exposure as an example, we integrated the single-cell transcriptome atlas of PM2.5 exposure and trained the AI ​​model to find the potential association between PM2.5 and COVID-19 disease. We then used a combination of in-vitro experiments and in-silico analysis to verify this conclusion.

Effects of High Temperature Exposure on Anxiety and Depression — Evidence From Randomized Controlled Trial


This study is a crossover randomized controlled trial. Based on previous epidemiological analysis of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) and the Atmospheric Reanalysis (ERA5) database of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), we believe that high temperature exposure affects mental health. Based on the previous analysis, we determined the exposure temperature and duration that could trigger anxiety and depression. We recruited 20 students from Tsinghua University and randomly divided them into two groups. The results show that high temperature can increase anxiety level. Underlying mechanism may be that high temperature can induce neurotransmitter release disorder, activate HPA axis and induce inflammatory response to cause anxiety. Relevant results have been published in Environment International.

The Mechanism of Heatstroke Induced Cortical Damage: Evidence from Multi-omics Approaches


In response to rising global temperatures and an increase in extreme heat events, heat stroke has become a major problem. Our study found that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of the cerebral cortex is particularly vulnerable to heat stroke damage. In addition, a combination of multiple omics techniques was used to conduct high-throughput screening of substances related to the cerebral cortex injury induced by high temperature heat stroke. The results showed that the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory factors in the cerebral cortex triggered oxidative stress response, leading to the abnormal opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), and the downregulation of Tomm40 led to the disruption of mitochondrial protein transport. This eventually leads to mitochondrial dysfunction. And Tomm40 is a potential molecular target for heatstroke induced cerebral cortex injury. the study, published in Science of the Total Environment, provides new insights and biomarkers for the prevention and treatment of heat stroke and provides a basis for developing effective environmental policies.