The Chilean exposome-based system for ecosystems project: Protocol for the development of an informatics platform for national data integration

Abstract

Abstract The double burden of diseases and scarce resources in developing countries highlight the need to change conceptualization of health problems and development of translational research. Contrary to the traditional paradigm focused on genetics, the exposome approach proposed in 2005 that complements the genome is an innovative theory. It involves a holistic approach to understanding the complexity of the interactions between the human being’s environment throughout their life and health. Herein, we have describe the conceptual model and technological system development of the Chilean exposome-based system for ecosystems (CHiESS). It is an intelligent and dynamic system for human exposome research, which leverages available administrative data routinely collected by national agencies, in clinical records, and by biobanks. Based on the ecological theory and one-health ecosystem approach, CHiESS considers a multilevel exposure for exposome operationalization, including the ecosystem, community, population, and individual levels. CHiESS will include four consecutive stages for development into an informatic platform: 1) environmental data integration and harmonization system, 2) clinical and omics data integration, 3) advanced analytical algorithm development, and 4) visualization interface development and targeted population-based cohort recruitment. The ChiESS platform aims to integrate and harmonize available secondary administrative data and provide a complete geospatial mapping of the external exposome. Additionally, it aims to analyze complex interactions between environmental stressors of the ecosystem and molecular processes of the human being and their effect on human health. Moreover, by identifying exosome-based hotspots, CHiESS allows the targeted and efficient recruitment of population-based cohorts for translational research and impact evaluation.