Research Objective
Computational and Functional Precision Medicine
The Computational and Functional Precision Medicine Research Objective takes an interdisciplinary approach to personalized medicine, covering all aspects of data-driven and functional experimental research. This ranges from the use of artificial intelligence to the analysis of large health-related datasets using state-of-the-art biomolecular analytics in experimental studies to identify disease mechanisms.
The goal of this Research Objective is to match individuals with personalized prevention plans and interventions, addressing key steps of the patient journey. For example, we seek to deliver insights into diseases to facilitate decision support, as well as designing novel treatments and aftercare procedures. Our activities here also help shaping the field around medical informatics and bioinformatics Germany-wide.
We are bringing together 45 Principal Investigators (PIs), their teams, and collaborators to advance the field of precision medicine. Their interconnected efforts include:
- computational analytics of massive population data;
- elucidating disease mechanisms using patient samples and model systems;
- and demonstrating clinical utility for individual patients and diseases.
Where appropriate, new discoveries are applied in translational projects to deliver new digital tools, diagnostic approaches, or therapeutic modalities. We will make these tools available via open-access or open-innovation platforms or via transfer to commercial applications. In several cases, we will also directly impact patient care.
To achieve our goals in this research objective, we are pursuing the following activities.
Activities
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Population Health Data Research
Identifying patient-specific and disease-specific treatment options requires a detailed mechanistic understanding of the underlying disease endotype. This activity is based on patient and population health data from human studies with detailed molecular and clinical phenotyping and long-term disease follow-up. By analyzing and interpreting such large-scale data sources, we will elucidate disease mechanisms to enable advanced target identification and disease prediction and prognosis.
Find out more in our Strategic Research Program 2023-2027.
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Approaches and Models
We develop and refine bioinformatics and technological approaches to identify targets and thus improve diagnostics and prognostics for unmet clinical needs. In particular, we use artificial intelligence (AI) tools (e.g. large language models)
and mathematical models, which require systematically generated and comprehensive patient data.Find out more in our Strategic Research Program 2023-2027.
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Disease Mechanisms
An interplay of genetic and environmental factors influences the development of diseases. However, most rare diseases can be traced back to changes in a single gene. Additionally, there is poor understanding and characterization of disease interactions and trajectories in patients suffering from multimorbidity. We seek to comprehensively understand disease mechanisms, including cross-organ and systemic pathophysiology, in order to develop patient-specific and disease-specific therapeutic approaches.
Find out more in our Strategic Research Program 2023-2027.
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Decision Support for Patients
Translation seeks to improve patients’ lives via continuously optimized diagnostics and treatments. We directly benefit patients by developing and refining applications and platforms for diagnosis or for decision support for targeted interventions.
Find out more in our Strategic Research Program 2023-2027.
