Journal of IiMER May 2025 Anna Niarakis (Université de Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier - CNRS, France) BRMEC14: Disease Map Concept and its Application for Complex Conditions Dr. Anna Niarakis is a Full Professor of Computational Systems Biology at the University of Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier, affiliated with the Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI) and the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Dynamics. A prominent researcher with a multidisciplinary background in biochemistry, biology, pharmaceutical technology, and computational systems biology, Dr. Niarakis brings valuable expertise in systems biology and bioinformatics to the BRMEC14 colloquium. Internationally recognized for her leadership in disease mapping, Dr. Niarakis integrates diverse biological and multi-omics data to create detailed maps of molecular pathways and cell communication, advancing our understanding of complex diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and COVID-19. Her experience in developing and applying disease maps demonstrates her ability to adapt these approaches to a range of conditions. At BRMEC14, Dr. Niarakis will showcase how these comprehensive disease maps can significantly advance ME research by providing an integrated representation of its complex mechanisms. Her work supports the identification of key pathways, the discovery of potential therapeutic targets, and the improvement of biomarker discovery, disease subtype characterization, and predictive modeling. Her contributions to collaborative projects like the COVID-19 Disease Map may highlight the potential for similar international efforts in ME research. Dr. Niarakis’ expertise in integrating complex biological data provides valuable insights into disease progression and heterogeneity, supporting a deeper understanding of ME. Her participation in the colloquium underscores the importance of integrative, data-driven approaches in understanding the complexities of ME, paving the way for improved diagnostics and targeted therapies. Marton Olbei (Imperial College London, UK) BRMEC!4: Mapping Cell-Cell Communication and its Changes Upon Inflammation and Infection Dr Marton Olbei, a research associate in the Tamas Korcsmaros Lab at Imperial College London, is a specialist in computational systems biology and network medicine. His work focuses on developing computational tools to map how cellular communication networks are altered by infection or inflammation – an approach directly relevant to understanding immune dysregulation in ME/CFS. At BRMEC14, Dr Olbei will present on "Mapping Cell-Cell Communication and Its Changes Upon Inflammation and Infection", demonstrating how advanced network analysis and multi-omics data integration can reveal how disease states disrupt cellular interactions. This systems biology approach helps identify key molecular pathways, potential biomarkers, and therapeutic targets by deciphering the complex immune and cellular networks involved in ME/CFS. Dr Olbei’s expertise, combined with the Korcsmaros Lab’s pioneering work in predictive computational modelling, supports the development of personalised medicine and deeper mechanistic insight into ME/CFS pathophysiology. His participation at BRMEC14 highlights the importance of collaborative, integrative research for tackling the complexities of ME. Invest in ME Research Page 15 of 43
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