Group | Exposome Science
The Exposome Science Group has established one of the largest chronic disease-related biobanks in Switzerland, the SAPALDIA Biobank. The biobank allows for studies of the genetic background of complex chronic diseases and related subclinical phenotypes, with a particular focus on phenotypes related to respiratory and cardiovascular health (i.e. lung function, asthma, COPD, heart rate variability, intima-media thickness and renal function).
Through international collaborations and genetics (e.g. Spirometa) as well as exposome (e.g. EXPANSE, Basel Urban Labs) consortia, staff contribute to and lead large meta-analyses to identify novel disease genes and understand how they modify susceptibility to lifestyle and environmental factors. We also contribute and lead broad analyses on the health effects of the broad exposome and on the mediating molecular pathways. Studies of the interaction of inherited genetic and epigenetic susceptibility factors with exposomel factors are a major focus of the group.
Air Pollution and Health
Our long-standing expertise – nested across all groups of the Chronic Disease Epidemiology unit and several other EPH groups and units – ranges from reviewing the international literature on air pollution and health (LUDOK) and measuring and modelling exposure to ambient air pollution, to investigating its health effects in children and adults, and estimating the related public health burden or the benefits of clean air.
Collaborations and Projects
Our experts serve on committees and advisory boards to advance research and policies at the international level, and collaborate with local and national authorities to provide valuable information on air quality. Seminal long-term projects, such as SAPALDIA, ECRHS, ESCAPE, EGEA, REGICORE, SALIA, EXPOSOMICS and EXPANSE, highlight our involvement in investigating the effects of air pollution on chronic pathologies in various part of the world.
Nicole Probst-Hensch
Professor, PhD (Pharmacy and Epidemiology), MPH
Group Leader
+41612848378
nicole.probst@swisstph.ch
Selected Projects
All ProjectsLatest Publications
All PublicationsAlchalabi L, Schaffner E, Imboden M, Difloe-Geisert J.C, Zitzmann N.U, Probst-Hensch N. Removable dental prostheses and difficulties with chewing among frail individuals: results from the Swiss SAPALDIA cohort. Swiss Dent J. 2024;134(2):53-71. DOI: 10.61872/sdj-2024-02-04
Baum E et al. Burden of chronic pain among adult pastoralists in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional household survey. Pain. 2024(in press). DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003282
Bussalleu A, Hoek G, Kloog I, Probst-Hensch N, Röösli M, de Hoogh K. Modelling Europe-wide fine resolution daily ambient temperature for 2003-2020 using machine learning. Sci Total Environ. 2024;928:172454. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172454
Darkhawaja R et al. Weekend physical activity profiles and their relationship with quality of life: the SOPHYA cohort of Swiss children and adolescents. PLoS One. 2024;19(5):e0298890. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298890
Darkhawaja R et al. Cross-sectional but not prospective association of accelerometry-derived physical activity with quality of life in children and adolescents. Int J Public Health. 2024;69:1606737. DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1606737