Can Technology Revolutionize Health Science? The Promise of Exposomics
Scientists Outline Key Steps to Harness Environmental Exposure Data for Precision Medicine and Disease Prevention
Every breath we take, every meal we eat, and every environment we encounter leaves a molecular fingerprint in our bodies—a hidden record of our lifelong exposures. In this week’s edition of the journal Science, leading researchers in the field of exposomics explain how advanced technologies are unlocking this biological archive, ushering in a new era of disease prevention and personalized medicine. The scientists lay out a roadmap to overcome technical and logistical challenges and realize the field’s full potential.
Exposomics explores how the complex interplay of environmental factors—from pollutants in our water and food to social and psychological stressors—shapes our biology. By studying these combined exposures, researchers can uncover how they collectively influence health, from metabolism and heart function to brain health and disease risk.