Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is a complex, degenerative disease, leading to obstructive coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction. Lipid-rich plaques have a high clinical relevance, since this plaque entity frequently contains a high proportion of inflammatory cells and only separates from the vessel lumen by a thin fibrous cap. The present project evaluates predictors and determinants of lipid-rich coronary plaque burden. Interplay of lipidomics, a detailed analysis of fat and associated proteins in the blood, as well as metabolites of the gut microbiota are a key focus of the project. Looking at already diseased patients, we aim to gain insights that may help to prevent disease development at sub-clinical stages.