Decoding the exposome: data science methodologies and implications in exposome-wide association studies (ExWASs)
Authors: Chung Ming Kei , House John S , Akhtari Farida S , Makris Konstantinos C , Langston Michael A , Islam Khandaker Talat , Holmes Philip , Chadeau-Hyam Marc , Smirnov Alex I , Du Xiuxia , Thessen Anne E , Cui Yuxia , Zhang Kai , Manrai Arjun K , Motsinger-Reif Alison , Patel Chirag J ,   Members of the Exposomics Consortium, Adamu Yau , Adebamowo Clement , Akhtari Farida , Akhtari Farida , Argos Maria , Arunachalam Saravanan , Baumert Brittney , Beglarian Emily , Berger Kimberly , Bhutani Jessie , Bisson William , Breton Carrie , Cai Lu , Chao Mu-rong , Chatziioannou Anastasia Chrysovalantou , Cheng Qiwen , Chung Ming Kei , Chung Ming Kei , Chung Ming Kei , Clark Robert , Cohen Hubal Elaine , Conti David , Cooke Marcus , Costello Elizabeth , Cui Yuxia , Dierickx Erin , Dolinoy Dana , Du Xiuxia , Engel Lawrence , Gao Peng , Gaulke Christopher , Giebelhaus Ryland T , Goodrich Jesse , Grafanaki Katerina , Gullapalli Rama , Habre Rima , Haidari Ariana , Harari Homero , Hart Jaime , He Jingxuan , Holmes Philip , Hood Darryl B , House John , Hu Hui , Hu Chiung-wen , James Peter , Jankowska Marta , Ji Hong , Srimathi Kannan , Konstantinou Corina , Lai Yunjia , Langston Mike , Lasalle Janine , Leang Amy , Liang Donghai , Liao Jiawen , Luo Jiajun , Makris Konstantinos C , Manz Katherine , Miller Gary , Motsinger-Reif Alison , Ouidir Marion , Page Grier , Pan Shudi , Parker Graham , Paul Kimberly , Peluso Alina , Penning Trevor , Pierce Brandon , Prajapati Nirmala , Prins Gail , Quintana Penelope J E , Rajasekar Arcot (raja) , Ramesh Aramandla , Ruden Douglas , Rushing Blake , Scholl Elizabeth , Schüssler-Fiorenza Rose Sophia Miryam , Shah Ruchir , Shahriar Mohammad , Siwakoti Ram , Soares Lissa , Soliman Ghada , States J Christopher , Stingone Jeanette , Sturla Irizarry Savannah , Sun Yangbo , Sundseth Scott , Teitelbaum Susan , Thessen Anne , Tong Ai Phuong , Vijayakumar Nisha , Walker Ryan , Wang Yi , Whyte Kathryn , Wilson Ander , Wu Lang , Wu K Lily , Yuan Xin/jean , Zhang Qiong , Zhang Xinyue , Zhao Neil , Zhu Yeyi 
Published: January 2024

This paper explores the exposome concept and its role in elucidating the interplay between environmental exposures and human health. We introduce two key concepts critical for exposomics research. Firstly, we discuss the joint impact of genetics and environment on phenotypes, emphasizing the variance attributable to shared and nonshared environmental factors, underscoring the complexity of quantifying the exposome’s influence on health outcomes. Secondly, we introduce the importance of advanced data-driven methods in large cohort studies for exposomic measurements. Here, we introduce the exposome-wide association study (ExWAS), an approach designed for systematic discovery of relationships between phenotypes and various exposures, identifying significant associations while controlling for multiple comparisons. We advocate for the standardized use of the term “exposome-wide association study, ExWAS,” to facilitate clear communication and literature retrieval in this field. The paper aims to guide future health researchers in understanding and evaluating exposomic studies. Our discussion extends to emerging topics, such as FAIR Data Principles, biobanked healthcare datasets, and the functional exposome, outlining the future directions in exposomic research. This abstract provides a succinct overview of our comprehensive approach to understanding the complex dynamics of the exposome and its significant implications for human health.