Clinical and Molecular Phenotyping (CMP)
- Line 1. Infection-related molecular diagnostics and host-pathogen biomarker panels. This line will expand beyond host-derived markers to incorporate pathogen-derived ncRNAs, an innovative and underexplored area with strong translational potential. Priorities include: i) viral miRNAs as indicators of viral reactivation in critically ill and Long COVID patients, ii) tRNA-derived fragments for early diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; and iii) combined bacterial- and host-derived ncRNA panels to inform antimicrobial resistance. This research lines are aligned with the groups of the CIBERES/CIBERINFEC ecosystem. When robust, high-impact signals are identified in human cohorts, targeted mechanistic studies will be undertaken to strengthen biological plausibility and, where appropriate, explore actionable pathways and potential therapeutic targets.
- Line 2. Molecular endotyping and risk stratification in respiratory and critical care syndromes. The group will develop multi-layer molecular endotypes to improve patient stratification in respiratory disease and ICU-related syndromes. Building on established cohorts and multicenter activity within CIBERES (including leadership in Long COVID-related work packages), the group will identify molecular profiles associated with clinically relevant outcomes (persistent symptoms, impaired lung function, complications) and translate them into biomarker panels suitable for clinical evaluation.
- Line 3. Methods, reproducibility and implementation science for RNA biomarkers. The group will lead a structured program on standardization and reproducibility, expanding ongoing international ring-trial activity into a broader quality framework for circulating RNA pipelines (pre-analytical variables, extraction/normalization, reporting thresholds and data analysis). Deliverables will include harmonized SOPs and COST-linked consensus recommendations enabling cross-laboratory comparability.
