FORESIGHT STUDY Future Trends and Challenges in Pathogenomics

FORESIGHT STUDY Future Trends and Challenges in Pathogenomics JUDITH SIMON & SVEN POMPE PROGRAMME GROUP MUT

OBJECTIVES • Overview on future trends and challenges in research on human-pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria & fungi) – Developments in basic research – Diagnostics & therapy – Public health – Research co-operations – Technology transfer & market development

STRUCTURE • Methods – Literature & internet research – Preliminary assessment – Expert survey • Results – Research foci • Methods, diagnostics & therapeutics – – Challenges for research Public health Co-operations Market development & technology transfer • Recommendations • Discussion

METHODS • Triangulation: combination of literature and internet research with expert survey & interviews • "Triangulation [. . . ] reduces the risk of systematic distortions inherent in the use of only one method. “ Maxwell 1998

METHODS: Literature Research • Databases – Pub. Med – Medline – Important scientific journals • Keywords & combinations – pathogenomics, infectious disease, public health, bacteria, fungi, bioweapons, bioterrorism and/or human-pathogenic • Focus on reviews – Specialised articles on particular micro-organisms were excluded

METHODS: Internet Research • Internet research on national & international – – Surveys Experts Institutions Networks

METHODS: Preliminary Assessment • Addressee: – 62 members of the ERA-NET Patho. Geno. Mics from 17 countries • Questions – Contact partners and national institutions – National main foci in microbiological research – National newly emerging hot topics in pathogenomics – Existing foresight studies on pathogenomics or related subjects

METHODS: Expert Survey • Development and application of questionnaires with questions on – – – Basic research Future prospects in diagnostics & therapy Strengths and weaknesses in research Important cooperations and projects Technology transfer & market development Public health

METHODS: Expert Survey A total of 329 experts was selected and contacted.

METHODS: Expert Survey Table 1: Reply & return rates

RESULTS: Research Foci

RESULTS: Trends in Methodology • Improvement of conventional methods – Microscopy – Serology • Novel technologies – High-throughput analyses – Real time approaches – Bioinformatics – Omic‘s

RESULTS: Trends in Omic`s • Systemic approach Proteomics Genomics Transcriptomics Metabolomics

RESULTS: Trends in Omic`s Genomics Transcriptomics Proteomics Metabolomics Understanding of: • Infection • Pathogenesis

RESULTS: Trends in Diagnostics • Use of novel technologies – PCR – Sequence-based identification – Molecular strain typing But tools need to be more. . . – rapid – sensitive – specific – robust – affordable

RESULTS: Challenges for Therapeutics • Extension of databases & discovery of molecular strategies In order to. . . – enable comprehensive statistical and comparative analyses – standardise & validate diagnostics – find novel targets – develop new vaccines – innovate antibiotic intervention – individualise therapy

RESULTS: Challenges for Research • Multidisciplinary research on – – – Ecology & environment Population dynamics Evolution & taxonomy Epidemiology Risk assessment

RESULTS: Challenges for Research • Basic research on infection & pathogenesis – – – Analysis of host-pathogen-interaction Identification of signaling pathways Analysis of metabolic interactions Identification of virulence factors Target identification. . .

RESULTS: Public Health - Risks „Infectious diseases account for [. . . ] 25 % of global deaths (over 14 million deaths annually)“ (WHO 2000) • Major risks are – Multidrug resistance (cf. tuberculosis) – Nosocomial infections – Bioterrorism

RESULTS: Public Health Measures • • Surveillance systems Action plans for emergencies Vaccination strategies Rapid and early diagnostics

RESULTS: Co-operations What are the most important research partners for scientists in pathogenomics? Table 2: Co-operations and global players (N=30)

RESULTS: Market Development & Technology Transfer • Barriers – High R&D costs – Limited market size for vaccines and antibiotic products compared to the market for diseases of civilisation • Opportunities – Public-private partnerships – Subcontracting with SME`s for preclinical studies – Public funding for orphan drugs

RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Establish a European surveillance system 2. Reduce the misuse of pesticides in agriculture and animal technology 3. Create a European Competence Center for epidemiological research and modelling 4. Create an R&D programme that is specifically tailored to support public-private partnerships 5. Create structures for early warning and rapid response to emergencies

RECOMMENDATIONS 6. Develop comparative risk assessment strategies for setting national health priorities 7. Reconsider work-sharing between research institutes and universities 8. Foster cooperations between microbiological researchers and clinicians 9. Foster inclusion of ecological aspects into microbiology 10. Improve transparency about the function of different networks on pathogenomics 11. Conduct a study on industrial research objectives and economic interests

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION! The complete report on FUTURE TRENDS AND CHALLENGES IN PATHOGENOMICS will soon be available at http: //www. pathogenomics-era. net

RECOMMENDATIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Establish a European surveillance system Reduce the misuse of pesticides in agriculture and animal technology Create a European Competence Center for epidemiological research and modelling Create an R&D programme that is specifically tailored to support public-private partnerships Create structures for early warning and rapid response to emergencies Develop comparative risk assessment strategies for setting national health priorities Reconsider work-sharing between research institutes and universities Foster cooperations between microbiological researchers and clinicians Foster inclusion of ecological aspects into microbiology Improve transparency about the function of different networks on pathogenomics Conduct a study on industrial research objectives and economic interests