ImmUniverse

Immuniverse research projects at LCSB aim at to better control and treatment of immune-mediated diseases by exploring the universe of microenvironment-imposed tissue signatures and their correlates in liquid biopsies. The precise aims of the ImmUniverse project are given below: Objective 1. Comprehensive molecular characterization of intestinal/dermal microenvironment and immune cell profiles that provides a data foundation for advanced bioinformatics, statistical and model-based analysis. Objective 2. Confirmation of the identified signatures in tissue and blood samples from a large retrospective and longitudinal cohort and in a non-interventional prospective clinical study. Objective 3. Evaluation of evolving technologies such as dermal open-flow microperfusion and ultrasound-enabled gut liquid biopsy as non-invasive approaches for the identification of new ―microinvasive‖ biomarkers suitable to reflect clinically relevant tissue-based signatures of disease progression and/or response to treatment. Objective 4. Integrated large-scale data storage and computing platform to collect, curate, harmonize and standardize the newly and previously generated data. Objective 5. Having included excellent SME partners and incorporating large industry partners, we will improve the competitiveness of European industry and support the development of biomarkers, which will benefit patients.