Public Funding for Topmd Precision Medicine Ltd

Different bacterial populations of gut are associated with longevity and healthy ageing and specific bacteria have been identified which cause immune responses. This project will define combined microbiome and human gene expression biomarker signatures diagnostic of healthy ageing gut phenotypes and associated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and/or neurodegenerative disease. We will apply cutting edge measurement of microbiomes and gene expression profiles of gut samples from people aged 50 - 80 with and without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and/or neurodegenerative disease. Gene expression biomarkers will be identified using TopMD AI-enhanced technology, developed at the University of Southampton. By applying mathematical topology, TopMD innovatively uses known biological pathways as coordinates for measuring the 'shape' of global gene expression, accurately representing the molecular phenotype as a robust 'pathway biomarker'. In this project, we are working with partner The BioArte Ltd to combined predictive power of microbiome and gene expression signatures. The BioArte Ltd is developing personalised remedies for diseases by identifying molecules obtained from human and animal microbiota. They have led the discovery of immune-regulating bacteria and microbiome signatures predictive of longevity. The combined microbiome- host gene expression biomarker signatures of healthy ageing will be developed into a first of its kind diagnostic point of care test for gut microbiome-associated IBD and neurodegenerative disease in people aged 50-80\.

Different bacterial populations of gut are associated with longevity and healthy ageing and specific bacteria have been identified which cause immune responses. This project will define combined microbiome and human gene expression biomarker signatures diagnostic of healthy ageing gut phenotypes and associated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and/or neurodegenerative disease. We will apply cutting edge measurement of microbiomes and gene expression profiles of gut samples from people aged 50 - 80 with and without inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and/or neurodegenerative disease. Gene expression biomarkers will be identified using TopMD AI-enhanced technology, developed at the University of Southampton. By applying mathematical topology, TopMD innovatively uses known biological pathways as coordinates for measuring the 'shape' of global gene expression, accurately representing the molecular phenotype as a robust 'pathway biomarker'. In this project, we are working with partner The BioArte Ltd to combined predictive power of microbiome and gene expression signatures. The BioArte Ltd is developing personalised remedies for diseases by identifying molecules obtained from human and animal microbiota. They have led the discovery of immune-regulating bacteria and microbiome signatures predictive of longevity. The combined microbiome- host gene expression biomarker signatures of healthy ageing will be developed into a first of its kind diagnostic point of care test for gut microbiome-associated IBD and neurodegenerative disease in people aged 50-80\.

In this project, we are developing a catalogue, across diseases and treatments, of new, more powerful and informative biomarkers for use as companion diagnostics to predict treatment response in individual patients and for improving the efficiency of the development and testing of medicines. Our AI-enhanced technology, TopMD, was developed at the University, innovatively uses known biological pathways as coordinates for measuring the 'shape' of global gene expression, accurately representing both the molecular phenotype as a robust 'pathway biomarker'. Discussions with pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers identified routes to market to maximise the value promised by this innovative technology. We were advised by a panel of experts at the Innovate UK ICURe market validation programme options roundabout to 'spin-out' a company, and create a library of TopMD pathway biomarkers as a networked catalogue of biomarker products. This project will deliver libraries of TopMD pathway biomarkers of disease and treatment-induced gene expression. The accuracy of TopMD classification diagnosis of diseases and disease sub-types will be assessed and published via peer review. The libraries will act as high value catalogues of 'pathway biomarkers', positioning TopMD as a global leader in Precision Medicine and meeting 2/4 of the government grand challenges; AI & Data and Healthy ageing.