Development of diagnostic indicators of community-wide health using WBE with state-of-the-art hyphenated mass spectrometry techniques

本研究旨在通过基于废水的流行病学（WBE）使用液相色谱-串联质谱（LC-MS）开发社区范围内的心理健康和压力指标。本项目中有多个目标需要完成：首先，通过识别可用作心理健康和压力代理的新生物标志物，在WBE中目前使用的外源性（外部来源，例如，抗抑郁药和苯二氮卓类药物）和内源性（内部来源，例如，激素和异前列腺素）生物标志物的基础上进行构建。第二，发展一种新的LC-MS方法，以便于识别和量化在第一个目标中发现的新生物标志物。第三，在量化这些生物标志物后，用于监测社区的心理健康和压力，我将进行数据三角测量和社区之间的比较分析，以比较他们的心理健康和压力，考虑各种潜在的影响，包括社会经济差异和其他方法记录的健康指标。该项目的应用是通过确定可用于评估社区范围内心理健康状况的新生物标志物来发展WBE领域的研究。该项目将直接有助于目前的量化生物标志物库，为未来的疾病爆发提供早期预警系统。因此，要进行的研究是直接相关的工程和物理科学研究理事会（EPSRC）的目标。“创造工程和物理科学知识，使英国能够造福社会和经济”。[1]因此，通过为疾病爆发提供早期预警系统，这项研究直接造福社会。第二位导师，心理学系教授Julie巴内特教授，具有公共卫生方面的专业知识。在数据分析过程中，巴内特教授可以协助将这些数据与社区健康和社会经济指标进行三角分析，以准确地解释有关公共健康的数据。第三位主管Kathryn普罗克特博士是巴斯大学材料和化学表征设施的质谱专家。质谱是我在项目中使用的主要分析技术;他们的专业知识将帮助我进行培训、分析和任何可能遇到的故障排除。参考文献：1.英国研究与创新，2022年更新，2022年10月13日，https://www.ukri.org/councils/epsrc/

This research project aims to develop community-wide mental health and stress indicators via Wastewater Based Epidemiology (WBE) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS).There are multiple objectives to be completed within this project:Firstly, building on the exogenous (external origin, for example, anti-depressants & benzodiazepines) and endogenous (internal origin, for example, hormones and isoprostanes) biomarkers currently used during WBE by Identifying new biomarkers which could be used as a proxy for mental health and stress. Secondly, to develop a new LC-MS method to facilitate the identification and quantification of new biomarkers identified in the first objective.Thirdly, upon quantification of these biomarkers, used to monitor the mental health and stress in a community, I will perform data triangulation and a comparative analysis between communities to compare their mental health and stress, factoring in various potential impacts, including socioeconomic differences and health indicators recorded by alternative methods.The application of this project is to develop research in the field of WBE by identifying new biomarkers which can be used to assess community-wide mental health status. This project will directly contribute to the current repository of quantifiable biomarkers to deliver future early warning systems for disease outbreaks.The primary benefit of this research is in public health. Therefore, the research to be undertaken is directly relevant to the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) aims. To 'create knowledge in engineering and physical sciences for UK capability to benefit society and the economy'. [1] Therefore, by providing early warning systems for disease outbreaks, this research directly benefits society.The second supervisor, Prof Julie Barnett, a professor in the Department of Psychology, has expertise in public health. During data analysis, Prof Barnett can assist in triangulating this data with community health and socioeconomic indicators to accurately interpret the data concerning public health. The third supervisor, Dr Kathryn Proctor, is the mass spectrometry specialist in the Material and Chemical Characterisation Facility at the University of Bath. Mass Spectrometry is the primary analytical technique I will use during my project; their expertise will assist me with training, analysis and any troubleshooting I may encounter.References:1. UK Research and Innovation, updated 2022, 13th October 2022, https://www.ukri.org/councils/epsrc/