The central aim of the project is to apply multimodal spectroscopy combined with machine learning to identify a fingerprint for Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in saliva and plasma. FTD is the second most common dementia and usually affects individuals younger than 60 years old. FTD is difficult to diagnose, since there is no single exam that determines the disease, but instead many costly or painful exams that together link the disease. Some of the symptoms of the disease may be confounding with others such as AD. While the usual search for biomarkers focuses on individual patterns, the present proposal is to use a holistic approach. Vibrational spectroscopy provides a snapshot of the entire chemical finger print in a label-free way. In this project, samples from FTD, AD, and healthy subjects of >45 years old, will be analysed using Raman, mid and near infrared spectroscopy @Monash University in Australia, and complemented with Mass Spectrometry on the same samples @ICGEB in Italy. Advanced machine learning tools provide a powerful approach for data analysis unravelling hidden trends, correlations and also identify the main contributions that characterize the type of sample. The spectra recorded using the extended wavelength range encompassing the mid-infrared and near-infrared spectral regions will be processed with state-of-the-art machine learning tools to identify the molecular phenotype and establish markers in patients with TDP and AD. These findings will pave the way to the development of a new screening tool that would decrease the costs associated with the current diagnosis of FTD and in general for neurodegenerative disorders.

In 2013, the Science magazine announced Immunotherapy of cancer as the ‘Breakthrough of the Year’. The results of ongoing clinical studies with new cancer immunotherapeutics strongly support this enthusiasm. Following the lead of the top research groups, the Coordinator of the present proposal, Medical University of Warsaw (MUW) displays a predominant ambition of becoming a major player in the thriving area of Immuno-Oncology. MUW is one of the leading centres of competence in the Oncology field in Poland and presents a robust desire for further improvement of its excellence merits. Therefore, the main concept of the STREAM proposal is to bring together the high-level European research organizations with synergistic scientific and innovative expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology, in order to establish an international, long-term, strategic partnership with MUW. The main model of the STREAM proposal is to foster enhanced scientific dialogue and twinning between MUW and four outstanding research centres via trans-national visits of scientific personnel, joint organization of a summer school and workshops, as well as promoting the active participation of STREAM researchers in the prestigious scientific conferences. Within the duration of the current project we intend to significantly enrich MUW’s, regional and national quality profile regarding all of the variables of Composite indicator of Research Excellence in the Immuno-Oncology area. We will also set a new standard for conducting bioresearch and innovative thinking in Poland. We expect that the scale, ambition, and innovative character of the proposed project will bring the MUW’s excellence to a new level - internationally recognized and competitive, in order to contribute to the well-being of the society and knowledge-based economy of Poland and EU. Our proposal provides an exceptional occasion to achieve real impact on human health, quality of life and economic status in the new area of enlarged Europe.