Project Leader: Prof. Dr. hab. Tomasz Grzybowski
Disruptions in the composition and function of the microbiota affect immune, inflammatory, thrombotic, respiratory, and many other physiological processes. The aim of the MICROFLORA project is to generate reference microbiome data that account for the biogeographical origin of humans and subsequently use artificial intelligence (AI) to develop personalized therapeutic protocols tailored to the microbiome profiles of cardiology, dermatology, pediatric, and neonatology patients.
Obtaining microbiome profiles specific to adult patients will aid in optimizing therapy for thrombotic diseases in cardiology. Microbiomes will also be analyzed in patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), revealing previously unrecognized interactions between bacterial flora and the immune system. Pediatric patients treated with fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) will be analyzed using AI models to predict treatment efficacy and select optimal subsequent therapeutic strategies.
The project also aims to investigate the role of maternal vaginal and rectal microbiomes as risk factors for preterm birth and complications of prematurity, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, as well as the significance of the neonatal (preterm) gut microbiome in the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), late-onset sepsis, and the time required to transition from parenteral nutrition to full enteral, gastric, and oral feeding.
The use of microbiome profiles derived from clinical samples will be preceded by generating reference profiles for various types of biological material from healthy individuals of diverse biogeographical origins across Europe using large-scale DNA sequencing (MPS).
The project involves collaboration between the Departments of Forensic Medicine, Cardiology, Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, and Neonatology at Collegium Medicum UMK. At the same time, participation in the project remains open to other university units interested in microbiome research using MPS and AI in a clinical context.