GENETIC AND MICROBIOME DATA IN THE WISCONSIN LONGITUDINAL STUDY

The WLS has GWAS data on 9400 participants. The inclusion of genetic data allows analyses linking genotypic, biomedical, psychosocial, and life course outcomes in novel ways. The WLS is a unique resource that is well suited for replication of findings from existing studies in a population-based sibling-design sample. More recently we piloted a study to collect stool samples in order to analyze participants’ gut microbiome to study its relationship to human health. We are also doing ground-breaking research on the relationship between the gut microbiome and behavioral and social outcomes. One area of interest is examining how the unique mix of microbes in our gut may have much to do with why some diets work for some people but not for others. We expect that a healthy microbiome depends on our genes, diet, and our environment; all of which are measured within the WLS.