Exploring the Impact and Origins of Somatic Mutagenesis in Cardiovascular Disease
Main Applicant – Prof Tan Kar Tong, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, National University of Singapore (NUS)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Singapore, yet many of its underlying drivers remain poorly understood. We know that lifestyle, diet, obesity and high blood pressure all play important roles, but less is known about whether changes to our DNA that occur throughout life also contribute to heart disease. These DNA changes are known to arise in normal tissues, not just in cancer, and may be accelerated by smoking or chemotherapy drugs.

We have developed a new computational method that can measure somatic mutation rates directly from standard genome sequencing data, making large-scale studies possible. Using data from the SG100K cohort, we will test whether higher somatic mutation rates are associated with greater CVD risk. We will also examine how inherited genetic differences, environmental exposures and drug treatments influence mutation rates.

By clarifying the role of somatic mutations in cardiovascular health, our study could reveal new ways to prevent disease and allow for early identification of at-risk individuals.