The overall goal of this project is to study the causal roles of novel and established risk factors and biomarkers for the development of type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease and cardiovascular disease. Knowledge about the contributing factors to these chronic diseases will give important insights regarding the etiological understanding of these diseases and accelerate development of new prevention strategies for cardiovascular disease. Hence, the proposed research does meet UK Biobank's (UKBB) stated purpose via improving the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke. Our aims are: Aim 1. To identify observational associations of biomarkers, physical measurements and lifestyle factors with type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease and cardiovascular disease and their risk factors in UKBB and other cohorts. Aim 2. To establish common genetic variation associated with respective biomarker, physical measurement and lifestyle factor by performing genome-wide-association studies in UKBB and other cohorts. Aim 3. To assess causal associations between respective biomarker, physical measurement and lifestyle factor and type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease and cardiovascular disease using a Mendelian randomization approach.