In the past decade, nations have reinforced their domestic plans and networks to handle biothreats, as illustrated through the following French and German examples. In recent years, academic labs and the CBRN industry have proposed technological answers for the identification of biological (B) agents in the field or in laboratories. A range of biosensing technologies based on various principles (nucleic acid hybridisation, affinity sensors, enzymatic sensors…) have been developed ranging from proof-of-principle to more or less advanced Technology Readiness Levels. However, in the case of an intentional release of these agents, experts in France and Germany have identified different technical obstacles and major gaps in these detection technologies which prevent a timely and comprehensive analysis and response. Although there are various initiatives at state level there is no European accepted / established commercial technology which aims at reliably detecting a broad range of all different relevant biological agents (bacteria, viruses and toxins). In this context, GEFREASE (GErman FRench Equipment for Analysis and Surveillance of biothreats in the Environment) proposes to answer main issues associated with the detection of potential biological warfare agents. On the basis of previous experience gained by the four project partners, we will develop an integrated diagnostic approach combining on-site detection systems (provisional detection) based on immunoassays and confirmed and precise identification methods based on state-of-the-art mass spectrometry. We will target both toxins (ricin, botulinum toxin serotypes A, B, C, D, E, F, staphylococcal enterotoxin A and B, abrin) and microorganisms (Francisella tularensis, Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Vibrio cholerae and pox virus) which all belong to the most powerful agents of biological threats. Our technologies will be able to detect and identify the presence of these potential agents in different environmental media (air, environmental and consumable waters, and drinks such as milk), advancing existing technologies available within the consortium which have been developed for clinical microbiology testing so far. GEFREASE project associates four partners, among them two academic institutions: the CEA (Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, Atomic Energy Commission, Marcoule), a research body with a technological focus on defence and healthcare technology and the Robert Koch-Institut (RKI, Berlin), the central federal institution responsible for disease control and prevention in Germany which is also as a reference institution for both applied and response-orientated research as well as for the Public Health Sector. Two industrial partners will be associated to the project: Bruker Daltonik (BDAL, Leipzig) which has a long standing experience in development and manufacturing devices and applications for mass spectrometric analysis of biological and chemical substances and Bertin Technologies (Bertin, Montigny-le-Bretonneux) which delivers a complete innovation offer, from technology services to delivery of high-tech-products in life sciences and biotechnology processes. The CEA will be responsible for the project coordination and management. By creating a network of experts from France and Germany working in this field, GEFREASE will help to obtain a sustainability of successful detection technologies, which have been developed so far at national level within both countries and to close gaps in detection technology in order to improve health and security for citizens in both countries. The combination of leading industrial partners and scientific / federal institutions in the area of B-detection will enable marketable solutions for provisional on-site detection and confirmed lab-based identification with the potential to open an European and world-wide market

Metabolomics is recognized as a crucial scientific domain, promising to advance our understanding of biology, physiology, and medicine. The emergence of high-resolution imaging mass spectrometry (HR imaging MS) opened doors to spatial profiling of hundreds of metabolites directly from tissue sections. However, clinical use of HR imaging MS is hampered by a lack of clinically-oriented bioinformatics tools for molecular interpretation of the complex and information-rich data produced. Our goal is to address this bottleneck. We will develop algorithms for high-throughput putative annotation of hundreds of metabolites, knowledge-based downstream analysis, and validation of biologically-relevant leads. We will create the METASPACE engine, an open online platform providing these tools integrated into validated workflows for clinical use. This engine will be evaluated in clinical case studies on metabolic phenotyping of tumor response to chemotherapy and polymicrobial infections in cystic fibrosis. This demonstration will raise awareness and build trust among potential end-users. METASPACE will create a research ecosystem for exploitation of spatial metabolomic data that benefits both academics and industry. An open-source approach will stimulate developments in this field and provide a sustainable platform capable of incorporating future bioinformatics. Our user-centred tools, linked to existing molecular databases, will enable researchers without mass spectrometry or bioinformatics experience to turn big and complex HR imaging MS data into molecular knowledge. A considerable outreach effort, alongside constant interaction with the clinical metabolomics community, will maximize impact and dissemination. By engaging and educating envisaged end-users, METASPACE will facilitate future clinical discoveries in studies that require untargeted metabolic profiling and imaging. Our project will drive innovation and create a novel bioinformatics research field centred in Europe.

Ion mobility-high resolution mass spectrometry (IM-HRMS) is the next-generation analytical platform in research and industry. Unlocking its full potential across applications as varied as biotherapeutics, environment and food safety requires not only pushing back the frontiers of instrumentation, fundamental understanding and applications – but harmonisation is essential. To achieve this, current shortcomings in data collection, analysis and reporting across instrument types, laboratories and research areas need to be scrutinised and overcome. The MobiliTraIN Doctoral Network will form 13 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) who will bring a new fundamental understanding of IM-HRMS, provide reference materials and guidelines for standardisation, develop state-of-the-art methods for the application of IM-HRMS in biopharmaceutical development, biological ‘omics studies, and nontarget screening of contaminants, and lay the foundations for IM-HRMS adoption in industry. Through an interdisciplinary research programme, including an open science approach and training in technical, business and transferable skills, the MobiliTraIN DCs will become leading experts in ion mobility with a unique skill set to successfully advance their careers while supporting Europe’s innovation capacity. Building on existing collaborations and research excellence covering the entire innovation chain of IM-HRMS development and application, MobiliTraIN unites 10 academic institutions, 3 leading instrumentation companies, 1 regulatory agency, 1 pharma industry leader and 5 SMEs from 8 countries. With complementary expertise, know-how and mentoring experience, our consortium is ideally suited to unveil the potential of IM-HRMS as a key technology for safer therapeutics, better understanding of complex disease progression and improved monitoring of food, water and public health safety.