Risk-Based Biological Validation of Virtual Human Twins for Early Warning in Kidney Health

We are developing a project concept for HORIZON-HLTH-2027-03-TOOL-04 focusing on the biological and clinical validation of Virtual Human Twins (VHTs), with diabetic kidney disease and post-transplant graft dysfunction/rejection as potential complementary clinical scenarios.

Our interest is in developing a focused biological and clinical evidence framework that can support VHT-based early warning, risk assessment and personalised treatment decisions. Rather than generating extensive biological datasets, the approach will prioritise clinically informative evidence that can provide early, accessible and minimally invasive indications of disease progression or treatment response.

The validation strategy may integrate selected immune, inflammatory, molecular and functional biomarkers with patient-derived samples and fit-for-purpose in vitro/ex vivo models. The type of biological evidence and validation approach would be adapted to the clinical scenario and to the specific prediction or therapeutic decision supported by the VHT.

TÜBİTAK MRC can contribute expertise in translational immunology, immune profiling, biomarker research, functional cellular assays, advanced in vitro/ex vivo models and multi-omics approaches. Through my affiliation with Koç University School of Medicine and the Transplant Immunology Research Center of Excellence (KU-TIREX Platform), complementary expertise in transplantation immunology, clinical research and personalised therapeutic approaches can also be connected to the consortium.

We are interested in connecting with partners in VHT development, AI and computational modelling, nephrology, diabetes and transplantation medicine, clinical research, health data integration and bioinformatics.