Approach

The study of health-to-disease transitions is complex and multifaceted, as it involves various factors such as lifestyle, nutrition, occupation, social, psychosocial, and genetic factors. To effectively understand the combined effects of these factors on chronic inflammation and identify risk/resilience profiles, IMMEDIATE is implementing a range of complementary approaches.

The underlying strategy is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and a comprehensive data management environment to harmonize data representation and allow the robust analysis of complex interrelationships. To obtain substantial real-world data, prospective studies will be conducted through three existing large observational cohorts: 10k (Israel), NAKO, and KTX360°C (Germany). These large cohort studies offer advantages such as having participants from different ancestries, geographic regions, and lifestyle habits. Moreover, the KTX360° serves as a cohort of high-risk patients whose renal function has been “reset-to-baseline” through kidney transplantation.

As a further stage, the IMMEDIATE project will conduct a proof-of-concept study to test the beneficial, anti-inflammatory effect of a probiotic intervention with Akkermansia muciniphila on the symptoms of somatic and mental stress. The study will be performed in a controlled population of healthcare professionals and will serve to demonstrate the improvement of health outcomes on the risk profiles for chronic inflammation identified in the prospective studies.

By applying advanced experimental biology, IMMEDIATE strives to identify networks and sub-networks of biomolecular interactions critical for the emergence of inflammation-related health-to-disease transition, thus moving beyond the simple identification of potential biomarkers. To do so, various -omics analyses such as metabolomics, metagenomics, and single-cell technologies (i.e. scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq and mass cytometry) will be used to generate quantitative readouts of multiple layers of the host-microbiome interaction.

Lastly, IMMEDIATE plans to translate the scientific project results into mobile apps in order to monitor an individual's health status and provide personalised advice on modifiable lifestyle factors, such as nutrition and physical activity. The IMMEDI-APP will provide dynamic monitoring and direct feedback to users, thus empowering them to manage their own health proactively.