Journal of IiMER May 2025 for ME/CFS and other chronic conditions. There is growing evidence that ME involves chronic cellular and oxidative stress, protein misfolding, and possible impairment of the unfolded protein response (UPR)-a key pathway ensuring proper protein folding and cellular resilience. Dr Bertolotti’s work directly targets these mechanisms, making her research highly relevant to understanding the molecular basis of ME. Her expertise bridges molecular biology, neuroimmune disease, and inflammation, offering valuable perspectives on how defects in protein clearance and stress responses may contribute to persistent symptoms in ME. As a leading expert in proteostasis regulation, Dr Bertolotti brings fresh ideas to ME research, addressing important but underexplored mechanisms in disease pathology and potential therapeutic targets. Session: Chronic Infection Aetiology Session Chair: David Price (Cardiff University, UK) Professor David Price is Chair of Infection and Immunity at Cardiff University School of Medicine and a leading member of the European ME Research Group (EMERG). He graduated with double first class honours in medical sciences and pathology from the University of Cambridge and completed his clinical training at King’s College Hospital, London. Professor Price specialised in internal medicine, infectious and tropical diseases, and subsequently earned a doctorate in molecular immunology at the University of Oxford. He has held academic clinical appointments and conducted research with fellowship support at the NIH Vaccine Research Center. Appointed to his current role at Cardiff in 2007, Professor Price’s research focuses on the development and application of advanced biotechnologies to characterise immune responses to globally significant pathogens, including HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. His work investigates how overactive or dysfunctional immune responses may contribute to long-term illness, and he is actively involved in research on immune mechanisms and persistent infection in conditions such as ME/CFS and Long Covid. Professor Price has also led initiatives to develop new diagnostic tests and treatments for post-infectious diseases. At the conference, Professor Price will chair the session on chronic infection as a potential driver of ME/CFS, drawing on his expertise in infection, immunity, and translational research. Douglas D. Fraser (Western University in London, Canada) Douglas Fraser is a Professor and Clinician Scientist in Paediatric Critical Care/Trauma Medicine at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. He is a Fellow of the R oyal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Professor Fraser leads the Translational Research Centre at Western University, which includes a human tissue biobank that has supported research for over 15 years. His research focuses on immunology, infectious diseases, and the identification and validation of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for a range of conditions. Utilising advanced multiplex technologies, Invest in ME Research Page 18 of 43
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