2024 – Annual Overview

The Luxembourg Institute of Health launched the Gender Inequalities in Health (GHealth) study on February 23, 2024. This initiative, led by the CARES research group of the LIH, aims to examine gender based health disparities using data from the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS). By analysing health status, healthcare utilization, and key health determinants, the study seeks to provide valuable insights into the different health experiences of men and women. The findings will inform policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the broader public, ultimately contributing to more equitable healthcare strategies.

The GHealth study underscores the significant impact of both biological and social factors on healthcare access and overall well-being. Project leader Dr Ruiz-Castell highlights the study’s goal of assessing self-reported health indicators among individuals aged 15 and above. Effective collaboration between the LIH and MEGA ensures that key messages and findings are communicated to support evidence-based policymaking. By launching this initiative, the LIH reaffirms its commitment to addressing gender-related health disparities and fostering well-informed healthcare policies that benefit individuals across all gender identities.

The Luxembourg Institute of Health and Catalpa Ventures officially launched a five-year partnership on February 27, 2024, to drive innovation in digital health by bridging scientific research and venture capital. Catalpa, a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage HealthTech investments, recently established itself in Luxembourg, recognizing the country’s potential as a hub for translational e-health. The agreement includes joint initiatives such as hackathons, start-up competitions, and spin-off support, reinforcing Luxembourg’s commitment to transforming cutting-edge research into real-world healthcare solutions.

By combining the scientific expertise of the LIH with Catalpa’s financial resources, the partnership aims to accelerate the commercialization of healthcare research and make innovative solutions more accessible to clinicians and patients.

“We believe that the numerous opportunities for knowledge transfer arising from this partnership and the availability of Catalpa’s financial and investment expertise to our researchers will create a bridge between research and its commercialization,” said Prof Ulf Nehrbass, CEO of the LIH.

Both partners are committed to fostering a thriving HealthTech ecosystem, attracting innovative e-health companies, and advancing digital health to improve patient outcomes.

On February 22nd, the LIH signed a memorandum of understanding with representatives from Goyang City in the greater Seoul region, Korea, to establish a thriving precision medicine undertaking. Specifically, the goal of the collaboration will be to set up an interoperable precision medicine infrastructure, connecting clinical partners in Korea to the federated data network of the LIH in Europe.

This will allow the launch of new prospective precision medicine studies on disease areas such as cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases (Clinnova), linking European and Korean partners and facilitating access to a pool of federated clean, quality controlled and standardised data.

On March 25, 2024, the Dataspace4Health project was officially launched, marking a significant step toward secure and compliant health data exchange in Luxembourg and beyond. This initiative, co-financed by the Ministry of Economy as part of Luxembourg’s national Gaia-X strategy, brings together key partners, including NTT DATA, Hôpitaux Robert Schuman (HRS), the Luxembourg Institute of Health, the University of Luxembourg, Agence eSanté, and the Luxembourg National Data Service (LNDS). Designed to enhance patient care, foster research, and improve collaboration between healthcare institutions, Dataspace4Health aligns with European digital strategies and Gaia-X standards to ensure interoperability, security, and data protection.

By addressing the current challenges of fragmented and underutilized health data, Dataspace4Health paves the way for innovation in precision medicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and personalized treatments. The project focuses on critical healthcare areas, including diabetes and oncology, where AI-powered decision support systems can improve patient outcomes. As a Gaia-X Lighthouse candidate in healthcare for Europe, the initiative sets a benchmark for secure data sharing while fostering an ecosystem open to new partnerships. With its strategic emphasis on legal compliance and technological innovation, Dataspace4Health represents a multi-million-euro investment in the future of healthcare, reinforcing Luxembourg’s role as a leader in digital health transformation.

The European Commission has announced the participation of the Luxembourg Institute of Health in the Genome of Europe (GoE) initiative, a ground breaking international project set to transform genomic research across the continent. With a total budget of €45 million, including a €20 million grant from the European Commission, GoE brings together 48 partners from 27 countries to create a European reference genome based on whole-genome data from 100,000 individuals. Luxembourg, represented by the LIH and the National Health Data Repository (LNDS), will contribute to sequencing efforts by providing 200 samples from its existing cohorts, reinforcing its commitment to advancing genomic research and innovation in healthcare. By actively participating in GoE, Luxembourg plays a crucial role in shaping the ethical, legal, and societal framework for genomic data management while ensuring compliance with European regulations. The initiative will integrate with the Digital Europe Programme funded Genomic Data Infrastructure (GDI), strengthening data security and interoperability across European healthcare systems.

“The Genome of Europe project represents a significant leap forward in our understanding of human genetics and its applications in healthcare, the LIH and the LNDS are proud to be full partners in this transformative initiative, which will pave the way for personalized medicine and improve health outcomes for individuals across Europe,” said Dr Frank Glod, Deputy CEO of the LIH.

Through this collaboration, the LIH continues to drive scientific progress, contributing to the global effort to harness genomics for the betterment of public health.

An innovative study led by Dr Anna Golebiewska and Dr Alessandro Michelucci from the Luxembourg Institute of Health has uncovered crucial insights into how glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive form of brain cancer, interacts with the immune system. Published in Genome Medicine, the research explores the role of myeloid cells within the tumour microenvironment, revealing how GBM manipulates its surroundings to evade immune responses and resist treatment. By integrating advanced techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, the study highlights the dynamic nature of GBM and its ability to adapt to standard chemotherapy. These findings pave the way for developing more effective immunotherapies tailored to combat GBM.

The study also underscores the importance of patient-derived models in replicating the complexity of GBM and improving the understanding of treatment responses. Notably, researchers discovered that microglia, the brain’s resident immune cells, undergo significant transformations when interacting with GBM, mimicking both phagocytic and dendritic cells. Additionally, chemotherapy was found to alter the molecular landscape of both the tumour and its surrounding immune environment, reinforcing the need for therapies that consider these intricate interactions. This collaborative effort, involving the LIH and partners across Luxembourg and Europe, marks a significant step forward in cancer research, with the potential to inform new immunotherapeutic strategies for patients battling GBM.

In January 2024, Sabrina Fritah established the Cancer RNAs and Epigenetics research group at the Department of Cancer Research (DoCR). The group is dedicated to exploring the critical role of RNA regulation and epigenetic modifications in cancer, particularly in brain tumors. These processes are essential for maintaining cellular identity and function, and their dysregulation can enable cancer cells to evade immune surveillance, exploit normal physiological processes, and resist therapies. The group’s research focuses on the complex interplay between genome organization and its expression in cancer, using cutting-edge approaches and integrative biology to identify novel therapeutic targets and decipher the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer characteristics. A central goal of the group is to understand how cancer cells adapt to their environment through epigenome rewiring, with a focus on RNA molecules and gene editing applications to advance precision medicine. Key research areas include epigenetic and long noncoding RNAs, epitranscriptomics, and RNA therapeutics for personalized cancer treatment strategies.

Ángel Álvarez-Prado has been awarded the prestigious FNR-ATTRACT fellowship to establish the Translational Cancer Immunogenomics Lab at the LIH Department of Cancer Research, starting in January 2025. His research will focus on understanding how genomic alterations influence anti-tumoral immunity and impact cancer treatment responses, with a particular emphasis on primary and metastatic brain tumors. The ATTRACT program, which supports outstanding junior researchers to establish their own teams, offers Ángel the opportunity to advance his pioneering work within the Department of Cancer Research at the LIH. This highly competitive program is supported by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), providing Ángel with up to 2 million EUR in funding to pursue his research goals over the next five years.

Researchers at the Luxembourg Institute of Health, in collaboration with Sprint Bioscience and the Karolinska Institutet, have identified a promising new approach to cancer treatment. Their study, published in Molecular Oncology in April 2024, highlights a powerful immunotherapy combination that significantly reduces tumour size and improves survival rates in preclinical models. The approach pairs a STING agonist, which activates the immune system, with a Vps34 inhibitor, a compound that targets autophagy—a mechanism cancer cells use to evade immune responses. STING agonists trigger a strong immune response by activating key immune cells, including T cells, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. However, previous clinical trials using STING agonists alone have yielded limited success. This new research demonstrates that blocking Vps34 enhances the STING pathway, making the treatment significantly more effective.

“This research offers new hope for overcoming past challenges with STING agonists and developing more durable cancer immunotherapies,” explains Dr Bassam Janji, Head of the Tumor Immunotherapy and Microenvironment (TIME) group at the LIH.

By counteracting cancer’s immune evasion tactics, this dual approach opens the door to more effective treatments, paving the way for future clinical applications.

In June 2024, Dr Sebastian Scheer from the Luxembourg Institute of Health Department of Infection and Immunity, in collaboration with Monash University, published a pivotal study in Cell Reports that sheds light on the role of the protein DOT1L in maintaining the functionality of Natural Killer (NK) cells. These immune cells are crucial for eliminating cancer cells, and the research reveals how DOT1L helps ensure their optimal tumour control. Under certain conditions, such as elevated levels of Tumour Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) in the tumour microenvironment, NK cells can transform into intermediary type-1 ILCs (intILC1), which exhibit reduced tumour-killing abilities. This study provides valuable insights into the factors influencing NK cell activity, potentially guiding new strategies for enhancing NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy.

Dr Scheer emphasizes the importance of their findings, noting that DOT1L acts as a “gatekeeper” for NK cell function and phenotype, limiting their conversion to less effective intILC1 cells. Given that DOT1L inhibitors are already being used as treatments for certain cancers, this research highlights potential risks associated with their use, particularly concerning the immune system’s response to infections. He concludes that a deeper understanding of DOT1L’s functions may lead to innovative therapeutic approaches that enhance immune responses.

A recent study from the Luxembourg Institute of Health has reported a significant decrease in cancer mortality, attributed mainly to advancements in early detection and treatment. Conducted by Dr Allini Mafra and Dr Claudine Backes of the Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Group, the research analysed nearly 24,000 cancer-related deaths in Luxembourg from 1998 to 2021, utilizing official data from the National Registry of Death Causes. This comprehensive study highlights the importance of continued public health initiatives and tailored healthcare services, especially in addressing challenges posed by an aging population.

The findings reveal that the overall age-standardized mortality rate (ASR) for all cancers combined has declined steadily by 2.1%

Dr Backes emphasized the progress made, stating, “We are witnessing tangible progress in cancer control, thanks to the collective efforts of healthcare professionals, patients, research, and national health strategies.”

Dr Mafra, the study’s first author, noted the need for sustained public health efforts and policy interventions to continue reducing cancer mortality in Luxembourg. The study underscores the critical role of early detection and treatment advancements in driving these improvements, providing valuable insights for policymakers to enhance Luxembourg’s National Cancer Plan.

A groundbreaking study led by Prof Mahesh Desai at the Luxembourg Institute of Health Nutrition Microbiome and Immunity Group has unveiled the complex relationship between gut bacteria, pathogens, and diet. The research team focused on Akkermansia muciniphila, a bacterium often considered a potential probiotic, examining how its interaction with gut pathogens is influenced by dietary habits. Their findings reveal a surprising duality: depending on dietary fibre intake, A. muciniphila can either strengthen the gut’s defences against harmful bacteria (acting as Dr Jekyll) or undermine them (acting as Mr. Hyde). This highlights the need for a holistic approach in designing effective probiotic interventions.

Published in the June issue of Molecular Systems Biology, the study employed meticulous experiments with gnotobiotic mice to demonstrate how A. muciniphila modulates the infection dynamics of the pathogen Citrobacter rodentium, which serves as a model for human enteropathogenic bacteria.

“What we’ve uncovered is truly remarkable. A. muciniphila exhibits a Janus-like behavior, acting as both a facilitator and protector against enteric pathogens,” says Desai. The research emphasizes that a fibre-deprived diet increases the bacterium’s negative effects, making the host more susceptible to infections. In contrast, a fibre-rich diet allows A. muciniphila to reduce pathogen load, demonstrating its beneficial effects. The implications of this study extend to microbial ecology and disease susceptibility, paving the way for targeted interventions to combat foodborne infections.

In a significant study, the Nutrition, Microbiome and Immunity research group of the Luxembourg Institute of Health has explored the intricate relationship between the gut microbiome and multiple sclerosis (MS), a debilitating neurodegenerative disease. The research identifies specific microbial factors that can predict both susceptibility to and progression of MS. These findings provide important insights for diagnosing and managing this autoimmune disease, which affects approximately 1.8 million people worldwide.

Using a preclinical model of MS known as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the research team, led by Prof Mahesh Desai, examined how the gut microbiome influences disease predictability and the host immune response. The study highlights the dual role of the bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila, which has been associated with varying disease outcomes depending on the broader microbial community context. Additionally, the researchers found that certain “reporter bacteria” coated with host-secreted immunoglobulin A (IgA) before disease onset could indicate the severity of the disease. This suggests the potential for these markers to be used in personalized diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiota.

Led by Professor Dirk Brenner, the Experimental and Molecular Immunology research group from the Department of Infection and Immunity has identified the essential role of antioxidants produced by immune cells in protecting against gastrointestinal bacterial infections. Their study, published in Cell Metabolism and featured as the cover story of the August issue, reveals new therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal disorders by modulating immune cell metabolism.

The research highlights the importance of T helper (Th) cells, particularly Th17 cells, which produce interleukin 22 (IL-22) to protect the gut lining from harmful bacteria. The study found that in the absence of antioxidants, bacterial infections induce oxidative stress, impairing mitochondrial function and reducing energy production in Th17 cells. This leads to decreased immune responses, resulting in increased gut damage and inflammation.

Prof Brenner explains “Understanding the relationships between metabolism and immune cell function opens exciting new avenues for treating inflammatory gastrointestinal and autoimmune diseases.”

The study underscores the potential of antioxidant treatments to enhance Th17-derived IL-22 production, improving gut health.

A collaborative study between Prof Mahesh Desai, Group Leader of the Nutrition, Microbiome and Immunity of the Department of Infection and Immunity, and the research team led by Dr CJ Anderson (University of Edinburgh) and Prof Kodi Ravichandran (Washington University School of Medicine & VIB-Ghent University), has revealed how metabolites facilitate communication between gut microbes and human cells, aiding intestinal recovery after chemotherapy. Published in August in Cell Host & Microbe, this research offers new hope for improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Researchers found that chemotherapy-induced cell death in the intestines releases substances that promote the growth of harmful bacteria, specifically Enterobacteriaceae, which hinders healing. Preventing intestinal cell death or maintaining a healthy gut bacteria balance can enhance recovery, suggesting targeted treatments could alleviate chemotherapy’s gastrointestinal side effects.

A clinical study published in Nature Communications has uncovered the early immune mechanisms behind the success of insect venom immunotherapy. Researchers from the Luxembourg Institute of Health Translational and Clinical Immunology group, the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), and other European institutions identified key molecular and cellular changes occurring within eight hours of the first treatment. This study, involving over 200 blood samples from patients treated for insect sting allergies, could revolutionize allergy treatment by enhancing allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) for other allergies and addressing the growing global allergy epidemic.

The study highlights the regulation of IL-6, a molecule typically linked to inflammation, that plays a crucial role in restoring immune tolerance.

“By unravelling the ‘molecular magic’ of insect venom immunotherapy, researchers are one step closer to addressing the global allergy epidemic and advancing personalised medicine,” concluded Professor Markus Ollert, lead author of the work and Director of the Department of Infection and Immunity.

Additionally, the findings emphasize the importance of considering circadian rhythms in clinical studies and the role of B regulatory cells (Bregs) in maintaining immune balance. The implications of this research extend beyond allergies, potentially advancing the understanding of immune tolerance in various chronic conditions.

In April, the Luxembourg Institute of Health launched the Long COVID Companion, a groundbreaking web app designed to support individuals affected by Long COVID. Co-created with input from patients, healthcare professionals, and the association #apresJ20 Covid Long France, the app offers tailored features for symptom tracking, health progress visualization, and tools for managing daily activities. Dr Aurélie Fischer, scientific coordinator at the LIH, emphasized the app’s role in empowering users to manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

The Long COVID Companion aims to aid individuals in navigating the complexities of Long COVID, a condition characterized by lingering symptoms following COVID-19 recovery. Accessible free through a web browser, the app eliminates the need for downloads, making it widely available. While it serves as a valuable resource for symptom management and ongoing research contributions, it is important to note that the app is not intended as a medical diagnostic tool or a substitute for professional medical advice.

In May, the Luxembourg Institute of Health and the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) joined the EU-funded COMMUTE project, which aims to investigate how infectious diseases like COVID-19 may increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing, this four-year, €7.3 million project will utilize an innovative AI-driven system to deliver personalized risk assessments for individuals recovering from COVID-19. Prof Martin Hofmann-Apitius emphasized the importance of understanding the potential links between viral infections and neurodegenerative diseases, noting early observations of Parkinson-like symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

The COMMUTE project employs a dual approach combining AI analysis of existing patient data with hypothesis-driven methods to explore connections between COVID-19 and neurodegeneration. Prof Rejko Krüger and his team at the LIH will leverage existing cohorts on Parkinson’s disease and COVID-19 in Luxembourg to better understand the pathological processes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections. The insights gained from this research aim to enhance personalized healthcare and explore the potential for repurposing existing medications to prevent or treat neurodegenerative conditions triggered by COVID-19. The project will run from December 2023 to November 2027, highlighting the critical need for research in this area.

A collaborative study led by the Luxembourg Institute of Health involving 15 institutions across Europe and Canada has developed a machine-learning model to predict in-hospital mortality following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Published in Nature Communications, this breakthrough could lead to personalized healthcare strategies, helping to alleviate the burden of COVID-19 on healthcare systems worldwide.

Dr Yvan Devaux, leader of the Cardiovascular Research unit and the study, explained, “Our rationale was to leverage the power of specific RNA molecules, known as non-coding RNAs, which have emerged as valuable candidate biomarkers for most pathologies.” The research analyzed blood samples and clinical data from 1,286 COVID-19 patients across Luxembourg, Germany, the UK, and Canada. The study identified age and the long non-coding RNA LEF1-AS1 as the most accurate predictors of in-hospital mortality. Higher levels of LEF1-AS1 correlated with a reduced mortality risk, suggesting its involvement in immune cell proliferation and inflammation regulation.

Dr Devaux emphasized that the predictive model can help differentiate high-risk patients from those with a better chance of survival, enhancing patient management in clinical settings. The research team is also exploring the model’s capacity to predict long COVID in the Luxembourgish CoVaLux cohort.

The Orchestra Project, aimed at enhancing the European response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, has concluded after a successful run. Coordinated by the Infectious Diseases division of the University of Verona, this initiative united scientists from 37 partner institutions across 14 countries to gather critical data for managing and controlling COVID-19. Launched in 2020 with a €30 million grant from the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program, the project produced significant findings on “Long COVID,” identifying four distinct clinical subtypes and determining risk factors for patients. It also demonstrated that vaccines and monoclonal antibodies can reduce the risk of Long COVID by over 80%.

In addition to addressing current challenges, the Orchestra Project has created a legacy for future pandemics through the Orchestra Data Portal, a comprehensive resource for the global scientific community. Over 100 scientific publications and various educational materials reflect the project’s impact, showcasing how scientific research can inform the public and support healthcare professionals during health emergencies.

In November 2024, the CoVaLux Event took place at the Maison du Savoir in Belval, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and journalists to discuss the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and future preparedness. Hosted by Research Luxembourg, the event spotlighted the CoVaLux research program, which has made significant strides in understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19, particularly Long COVID. Experts from various institutions presented findings on epidemic modeling, vaccine efficacy, and the complexities of Long COVID, which Dr Guy Fagherazzi described as a “pandemic within the pandemic.” He emphasized the need for personalized care and targeted interventions for the millions affected.

The discussions highlighted the diverse symptoms and economic impacts of Long COVID, as well as its profound effects on mental health. Researchers called for a holistic approach to care that addresses both physical and psychological well-being. The event also underscored the importance of robust pandemic preparedness, advocating for scalable research networks and standardized data collection tools.

Prof Paul Wilmes encapsulated the spirit of the event, stating, “Within CoVaLux, we are building the scientific foundation for a healthier, more prepared future.”

As the world continues to adapt, Luxembourg’s collaborative efforts serve as a reminder of the power of interdisciplinary research in addressing health crises.

The Clinnova Consortium has made a momentous start to the year by successfully recruiting its first patients, marking a significant milestone for the European precision health initiative. The consortium enrolled its inaugural seven patients in the inflammatory bowel disease cohorts located in Mannheim and Freiburg, Germany.

Dr Jasmin Schulz, chief coordinator of Clinnova at the Luxembourg Institute of Health, emphasized the importance of this achievement, stating, “The recruitment of our first patients is a significant milestone, which will pave the way for the successful inclusion of all future participants across our three disease areas.”

Earlier in January, Clinnova hosted its second consortium meeting in Strasbourg, France, where over 70 participants from four partner countries gathered to discuss progress in implementing use cases and data infrastructure. The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration in tackling complex medical challenges. Additionally, Clinnova unveiled a new logo as part of its rebranding efforts to modernize its image. Dr Schulz noted that the new logo represents Clinnova’s mission to serve as a bridge between research and healthcare, aiming to advance precision medicine through data federation, standardization, and interoperability.

The Luxembourg Institute of Health and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) are joining forces in an international clinical trial to validate a novel neurotechnology developed by Myelin-H for the remote monitoring and neurorehabilitation of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Involving clinical centres from the UK, US, Australia, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy, the trial will test Myelin-H’s software on over 150 patients. With more than 2.8 million people living with MS worldwide, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions to monitor disease progression, particularly since existing methods like MRI have limitations. Myelin-H’s software integrates mobile cognitive games and a brain-computer interface, enabling real-time data capture and personalized treatment recommendations.

Dr Zied Tayeb, CEO of Myelin-H, stated, “By gamifying the neurological assessment and rehabilitation process, our solution helps ensure patients’ compliance and willingness to perform such sessions at home, thereby improving the monitoring of the disease, slowing its progression, and reducing its burden on daily life and healthcare systems.”

The LIH will provide expertise throughout the trial phases, aiding with protocol development and regulatory submissions.

Dr Manon Gantenbein, Head of the Clinical and Epidemiological Investigation Center, emphasized the project’s potential, noting, “we are thrilled to be lending our expertise in all phases of clinical trial management to such an innovative project, which has the potential to tangibly improve the lives of many patients worldwide.”

Researchers at the Luxembourg Institute of Health have developed an innovative digital voice-based biomarker for monitoring respiratory health, providing a noninvasive and cost-effective solution that is accessible through smartphones. Published in the Biomedical Signal Processing and Control journal, this study showcases the potential of voice analysis as a rapid method for assessing respiratory quality of life. By analysing voice recordings from 1,908 participants, the researchers identified specific voice features that correlate with respiratory health, achieving an accuracy rate of 70.8% when combining voice data with clinical information. This multimodal approach outperformed traditional methods, marking a significant advancement in the field.

The implications of this research are substantial, as the digital voice-based biomarker can complement traditional clinical measures and enable more frequent monitoring of respiratory health. This user-friendly solution can help reduce hospital visits and facilitate timely interventions through continuous, real-time health assessments.

The Deep Digital Phenotyping Research Unit at the Luxembourg Institute of Health has developed a voice-based artificial intelligence algorithm that can detect Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) with remarkable accuracy. This non-invasive and cost-effective method analyses subtle vocal changes, making diabetes screening more accessible, particularly in underserved communities. With an estimated 400 million undiagnosed cases of T2D globally, the consequences of delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications, including cardiovascular disease and neuropathy. Current screening methods, which often rely on blood tests, can be costly and challenging to implement in resource-limited settings.

Led by Abir Elbeji and Dr Guy Fagherazzi, the LIH team has identified vocal biomarkers correlated with T2D using advanced machine learning techniques. Their study, published in December, analysed speech recordings from over 600 participants in the United States, achieving predictive accuracy comparable to the risk score used by the American Diabetes Association. This research marks a significant advancement in diabetes care, combining AI and digital phenotyping to facilitate early diagnosis and prevention.

Dr Yvan Devaux, Head of the Cardiovascular Research team at the Luxembourg Institute of Health, has contributed to a review article in Nature Reviews Cardiology that highlights the potential of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) as both treatments and diagnostic tools for ischaemic heart disease. This publication emphasizes the possibility of targeting specific ncRNAs to reverse cardiac damage, offering new hope for patients suffering from this life-threatening condition. Ischaemic heart disease is responsible for millions of deaths each year, making it a critical challenge for the medical community.

The review article discusses how ncRNAs, previously overlooked for their lack of involvement in protein production, are crucial in regulating biological processes. Dr Devaux and his colleagues explore the significant advances in understanding ncRNAs, their regulatory mechanisms, and potential therapeutic applications. They envision a future where ncRNA biomarkers could predict adverse heart remodelling and targeted ncRNA therapies could prevent heart failure. While challenges remain, the promise of ncRNAs in precision medicine suggests a transformative approach to cardiovascular health, paving the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in cardiology.

The National Centre of Excellence in Research on Parkinson’s Disease (NCER-PD) has recently joined 51 clinical sites worldwide participating in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), a landmark observational study sponsored by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Launched in 2010, PPMI aims to develop biological markers for Parkinson’s disease (PD) risk, onset, and progression, establishing a large collection of clinical, imaging, and biological samples. The initiative has already led to breakthroughs such as a novel biological test that detects the disease before movement symptoms appear.

NCER-PD, funded by the Luxembourg National Research Fund, comprises key biomedical research institutes in Luxembourg, including the Luxembourg Institute of Health and the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB).

“We are delighted to contribute to such a prestigious international clinical study with our knowledge and expertise in setting up cohorts and in biomarker discovery and validation.” Prof Rejko Krüger, Director of Transversal Translational Medicine at the LIH, highlighted the significance of the collaboration.

Participant recruitment at the Luxembourg site began in April and aims to include individuals at risk of developing PD, reinforcing Luxembourg’s commitment to advancing research and treatment in this critical field.

A study led by Dr Valerie Moran from the Luxembourg Institute of Health and the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) has highlighted the potential benefits of Luxembourg’s Referring Doctor (RD) programme for individuals with type 2 diabetes. This research assessed the effectiveness of the RD policy, introduced in 2012, which aims to enhance patient care by encouraging voluntary registration with a primary care doctor. By analysing data from the Luxembourg National Health Fund between 2010 and 2018, the study revealed that while there were increases in certain healthcare measures, participation in the RD programme was low, indicating a need for greater awareness and potential reforms to boost voluntary registration.

The findings, published in BMC Primary Care, demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the number of HbA1c and kidney function tests among participants in the medium term. Additionally, the research noted a reduction in specialist consultations, suggesting better care coordination. This study contributes valuable insights into the effects of patient registration on healthcare quality and underscores the necessity for policies aimed at enhancing participation and improving diabetes care in Luxembourg.