Project Structure

The aim of cluster 1 is to uncover early molecular signatures that signal the transition from presymptomatic to active disease in RA and IBD. For that matter, at-risk cohorts with longitudinal samples (whole blood and stool) will be analysed by multi-omics techniques to identify molecular biomarkers. WP1 involves the assembly of data, along with clinical and omics analysis to identify predictive features, while WP2 focuses on developing and validating a prototype decision support tool for predicting RA or IBD risk in independent cohorts.

Lead

• Université de Genève (WP1)
• Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel (WP2)

Cluster 2 will analyse early indicators of disease relapse in recently diagnosed individuals with RA and IBD under standard therapy, and generate first feature sets of early disease processes. WP3 focuses on the collection, harmonisation and meta-analysis of available retrospective baseline data for people with early-stage disease. In WP4, participants will be recruited for a follow-up scheme with homebased self-biosampling and recording of patient-centered outcome measures (PCOMs) to develop a tool for predicting relapse before clinical symptoms appear.

Lead

• University of Manchester (WP3)
• Université de Liège (WP4)

The aim of Cluster 3 is to explore how changes in omics markers over time relate to variations in sub-clinical traits, such as blood test results, sleep patterns or quality of life. To do this, the cluster builds upon two running, longitudinal initiatives – the Belgian Flemish Gut Flora Project and the Israeli 10K population cohorts.

WP 5 will study healthy temporal variation of microbiome markers and their links to relevant PerPrev-CID phenotypes. In WP6, the focus will be on measuring metabolites in plasma and stool, linking them to the microbiome and health, while exploring the impact of dietary data and microbial fermentation products on health. WP7 will generate genome-wide methylome data to study epigenetic variability, refine algorithms with immune cell counts for disease-related changes, use biomarkers for diagnostics, and apply machine learning to predict missing metabolite and methylation levels.

Lead

• VIB VZW (WP5)
• Weizmann Institute of Science (WP6)
• Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel (WP7)

Cluster 4 aims to set up a digital health platform with app-based tools to monitor symptoms and integrate data from sensors like smartphones, focusing on standardised measures of nutrition, activity, and sleep to create new "objective" patient-centric outcome measures (PCOMs). The focus of WP8 is on the development of the technological foundation for a secure, interoperable digital health platform, while WP9 develops, implements, and validates electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs), biosensor-derived parameters, and home-based biomarker assays.

Lead

• Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel (WP8)
• Weizmann Institute of Science (WP9)

Cluster 5 will carry out a clinical trial on nutritional interventions to prevent disease relapses in early RA and IBD. In WP10, a two-year, multi-centre, placebo-controlled trial to assess the health benefits of a nutrition-based intervention targeting the tryptophan/kynurenine pathway in RA and IBD is set up and initiated. The primary clinical endpoint is the time to first re-flare. WP11 then aims to evaluate the health and molecular effects of the nutritional intervention, which involves controlled ileocolonic released nicotinamide (CICR-NAM) intake for prevention of disease progression.

Lead

• Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel (WP10, WP11)

Cluster 6 coordinates the generation of high-resolution multi-omics datasets for IBD and RA, encompassing five data layers: DNA methylome (blood), bulk transcriptome (blood), T-cell receptor repertoires (blood), metabolome (blood and stool), and metagenome (stool). To achieve that, WP12 will be creating a standardised framework, establishing unified processes for sample handling, quality control, and data standards. In WP13, the focus will be on creating standardised multi-omics datasets from at-risk individuals and those living with early-stage CIDs, while investigating variations, estimating cost developments, and providing protocols for future healthcare use.

Lead

• Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen E.v. (WP12)
• Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel (WP13)

Cluster 7 will create an integrated approach for data management and AI-based methods. While WP14 is focusing on data harmonisation, curation, and data integration tasks, WP15 works on establishing crucial infrastructure with the goal of making clinical and multi-modal clinical and molecular data accessible to the PerPrev-CID consortium.

Lead

• Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen E.v. (WP14, WP15)

Cluster 8 consists of three work packages that explore the ethical, legal, economic, and communicative dimensions in partnership with people living with chronic conditions, involving them co-creatively in the design, decision-making, and review processes to integrate their perspectives.

WP16 examines the ethical, legal, economic, and communication aspects of risk assessment and preventive interventions in RA and IBD, and addresses communication needs of people with CIDs to enhance trial design and research impact. It also coordinates the Patient Advisory Panel (PAP), ensuring structured input from individuals living with these conditions across the project.

In WP17, the focus is on how psychosocial factors, fatigue, and engagement of people living with these conditions influence disease progression and other clinically significant outcomes, using surveys to gather insights into these aspects.

WP18 examines the ethical, legal, economic, and communication aspects of molecular studies, clinical trials, and risk prediction tools, comparing expected vs. actual outcomes, and validating improved communication strategies for individuals living with RA and IBD.

Lead

• Stichting Radboud Universiteit (WP16, WP18)
• Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (WP17)

Cluster 9 focuses on project management, as well as communication, dissemination and exploitation activities. WP19, 20 and 21 aim to ensure maximum impact and visibility of PerPrev-CID through strategic communication, broad stakeholder outreach, and effective knowledge sharing. WP22, 23 and 24 are responsible for a well-organised structure, clear guidance, and necessary support for seamless project workflow, while WP25 guarantees adherence to ethical standards and regulations.

Lead

• EURICE – European Research and Project Office GmbH (WP19, WP20, WP21)
• Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel (WP22, WP23, WP24, WP25)