Project Leader: Prof. Paweł Zalewski
Project Aims and Objectives
Post-infectious syndromes (PIS), such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID, represent a growing challenge for healthcare systems—not only due to their high prevalence but also because of the lack of effective diagnostic and therapeutic methods. PIS are characterized by complex symptomatology (e.g., post-exertional malaise, cognitive dysfunction, dysautonomia), heterogeneous progression, and difficulty in identifying clear biological causes. Despite increased research efforts in recent years, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain poorly understood, leaving most patients without adequate medical support.
The objective of this project is to establish the first integrated research program in Poland dedicated to post-infectious syndromes, combining multi-omics approaches (genomics, metabolomics, microbiomics), advanced analysis of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. The project is interdisciplinary and translational, aiming not only to identify molecular biomarkers but also to develop tools to support clinical decision-making (e.g., predicting therapeutic responses).
Methodology
The project plans to create a national registry of PIS patients while simultaneously collecting clinical, autonomic, biochemical, and molecular data. Key symptoms, such as post-exertional malaise and “brain fog,” will be correlated with metabolomic profiles (LC-MS), microbiome composition (NGS), and functional test results (orthostatic tests, HRV). Integrating data across multiple biological layers will allow the identification of disease subtypes and their molecular determinants. Additionally, selected pathogenic pathways will be verified using animal models.
Expected Outcomes
The project aims to develop and validate AI algorithms capable of:
- Classifying clinical-biological subtypes of PIS,
- Predicting the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions, and
- Identifying new therapeutic targets, particularly in mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation.
Innovation
The novelty of the project lies not only in the application of advanced omics technologies and AI but also in the inclusion of population-specific factors (genetic and environmental) of Polish patients, which have been largely overlooked in international studies. The project leverages the unique infrastructure of Nicolaus Copernicus University (LC-MS/MS platforms, fMRI, molecular biology laboratories) and collaborates with leading research centers such as the University of Oxford and Newcastle University.
Significance
Expected outcomes include the creation of an interoperable multi-omics database for PIS patients, development of diagnostic tools to support clinicians, identification of promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and formulation of recommendations for future PIS management strategies within the healthcare system. The project has the potential to establish a reference model for PIS research in Central and Eastern Europe.