Understanding ME through connected research
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating multisystem disease with no single known cause.
DISCOVER-ME brings together clinical, biological and computational research to investigate the mechanisms underlying ME/CFS. By combining clinical information with large-scale biological analysis, the project aims to identify reproducible biomarkers, better understand differences between patients and provide a stronger basis for improved diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
From identification to discovery
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Identification
Finding candidate biological signals across five interconnected areas of research
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Validation
Testing promising findings across independent cohorts, samples and biobanks
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Prioritisation
Selecting the strongest candidates for further study
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Discovery
Biologically defined patient subgroups and new understanding of ME/CFS
The connecting thread is translation, carrying findings forward from each step towards discovery
Discovery across the biology of ME/CFS
DISCOVER-ME will identify, validate and prioritise biomarkers across five biological domains: (epi)genetic, immune, metabolic, neuroendocrine and vascular.
By integrating findings across these areas, the project aims to build a more complete picture of the biological mechanisms underlying ME/CFS.
From biological evidence to patient stratification
A central challenge in ME/CFS research is the considerable variation in symptoms and disease presentation between patients. DISCOVER-ME will investigate whether biological evidence can help identify meaningful differences between patient groups.
The project will combine harmonised clinical phenotyping of 2,000 patients with multi-omics profiling of more than 900 samples from five European biobanks.
Patient involvement throughout the research
Patient involvement is embedded throughout DISCOVER-ME. People with lived experience will contribute to the co-design of phenotyping tools, surveys and stratification frameworks, as well as policy recommendations.
This helps ensure that patient perspectives inform the project’s biomedical and computational research and the translation of its findings.
EXPLORE THE RESEARCH
Research Programme
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Work Packages
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FOLLOW THE RESEARCH
Research findings and project outputs will be made available as DISCOVER-ME progresses.
Publications
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Deliverables
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