Aims: We aim to identify simple biomarkers for the occurrence of diseases such as new-onset atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure in patients without prior history of such condition.
Scientific rationale: We have available CAREBANK dataset that includes over 1,000 patients who underwent open-heart surgery. Their clinical follow-up data can be used to identify those who encounter atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure later in life – to be able to identify patients with early stages of each disease. Using RNA sequencing data from the heart and liquid biopsies from the serum in combination as a derivation cohort, we aim to perform large exploratory analysis from the patients to link perturbed pathways in CAREBANK dataset. We will externally validate the finding using UK Biobank data. This way we will be able to create independent lines of evidence of perturbed signalling pathways.
Project duration: Three years (late 2024 – late 2026).
Public health impact: Using state-of-the-art technologies we expect to identify previously unknown signaling pathways predisposing to atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure. Such findings are of utmost value to understand the pathobiology of disease and may serve potential novel targets of prophylactic therapy for patients who are at high risk of developing these conditions. Reliable novel biomarkers for early detection of new-onset atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure may enable targeted preventive measures for the public.