03 Our Units

This unit has a leading international profile in the epidemiology of chronic airway diseases such as asthma and COPD. Their research, which is embedded within the multidisciplinary Groningen Research on Asthma and COPD (GRIAC) group, focuses on genetic and epigenetic factors, environmental exposures, and gene–environment interactions that influence disease onset and progression. They aim to translate their findings into societal recommendations. For example, their Lifelines study showed that certain occupations are associated with reduced lung function, highlighting the need for protective measures. The team actively engages patients in shaping research questions and collaborates globally through consortia such as CADSET and the International COPD Genetics Consortium.

Our group plays a central role in teaching and in genetic data analysis across major UMCG cohort studies. We provide training in genetic epidemiology, R programming, and Lifelines data handling, and are involved in Epidemiologist B registration. We coordinate genetic research in Lifelines, TRAILS, and GECKO, and lead or co-lead multiple international consortia on traits like blood pressure, kidney function, and glaucoma. Our research supports personalized prevention and medicine through predictive models using genetic risk scores and gene–environment interactions. We also explore epigenetics and machine learning to advance precision medicine, and coordinate genome-wide genotyping via the UMCG Genetics Lifelines Initiative (UGLI).

Our research focuses on understanding how health behaviours—such as physical activity, alcohol use, smoking sleep, social and cognitive activities —develop over the life course and how they influence healthy life expectancy. We study key moments when people may be more open to behavioural change and evaluate lifestyle interventions aimed to optimize healthy (cognitive) ageing and to reduce disease risk. In addition, we explore how the food and physical environment shape these behaviours. Using data from large randomized controlled trials (FINGER-NL) and cohort studies (Lifelines), and in collaboration with the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute and national consortia (MOCIA, FINGER-NL, BIRD-NL), we aim to support public health through evidence-based insights.

Our research focuses on the role of diet in Improving health in people who already suffer from a chronic condition. Through observational studies and lifestyle interventions, we assess outcomes such as obesity, glucose metabolism, type 2 diabetes, multimorbidity, and mortality. We explore how these associations vary by age, disease severity, gender and socio-economic status. Furthermore, we consider the sustainability of our diets – whether diets that benefit the planet also support human health, especially in vulnerable groups such as children, elderly and patients. Poor nutrition is a major global and national issue, driving non-communicable diseases. Our work quantifies its impact and informs strategies for healthy, sustainable diets for at-risk populations.

The Unit of Oncological Epidemiology focuses on improving early cancer detection and understanding the long-term effects of treatment. By identifying high-risk populations and refining screening strategies through cohort analyses and predictive modeling, the team assesses both benefits and risks such as overdiagnosis and false positives. The group leads OncoLifeS, a large-scale biobank combining clinical data, biological samples, and patient-reported outcomes to support personalized oncology care. Their work promotes early diagnosis, reduces treatment burden, and enhances patient quality of life. Validated prediction models are openly available, reinforcing their commitment to evidence-based, transparent cancer research. Learn more about research at OncoLifeS.

We investigate healthcare interventions that improve or maintain patient health while remaining affordable for society. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is a multidisciplinary process that uses structured, transparent methods to evaluate the value of health technologies - such as drugs, surgical procedures, and diagnostic tests - at various stages of their lifecycle. Our team brings together expertise in statistics, epidemiology, health economics, psychometrics, and other disciplines to assess both the health benefits and cost implications of medical treatments and interventions. We place the perspectives of patients, healthcare professionals, payers, the public, and policymakers at the core of our research.

We focus on bridging the gap between scientific innovation and patient benefit by developing efficient, cost-effective, and personalized care strategies. Through strong collaborations, we analyze complex data from genomics, exposome, clinical measurements, medications, and patient-reported outcomes to identify causal and predictive factors in diseases such as cancer, psychosis, and digestive disorders. Our work advances the implementation of personalized medicine by combining genetic, clinical, and epidemiological data, multi-omics approaches, telemedicine, and disease trajectory prediction. We also contribute through teaching and knowledge-sharing in genetic and epidemiological methods, supporting the integration of personalized medicine into public health and clinical practice.