UKMEB says: We are delighted to announce the results of our recent free sample campaign for ME/CFS research. The campaign offered blood samples and clinical data, donated by people with ME/CFS and healthy controls, free to researchers with the aim of accelerating biomedical research into ME/CFS
Applications were reviewed by a panel including scientists and clinicians outside the CureME team, and people living with ME/CFS. Applications were scored individually and then discussed; the studies with the highest average scores were selected to receive samples free of charge.
We would like to thank all applicants for their thoughtful proposals and the participants whose donations made this campaign possible. This initiative has been a valuable step in supporting ME/CFS research and fostering collaboration between researchers and the patient community.
Winners
1. Dr Sarah Annesley, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
Title: miRNA alterations in ME/CFS: Unpacking the role of S6K, viruses and metabolism
Summary:
We are conducting a pilot study exploring whether microRNAs (miRNAs), which play a crucial role in turning genes on and off and regulating energy production in platelets, are dysregulated in women with post-viral ME/CFS. While platelets are best known for their role in blood clotting, they also act as important regulators of immune cells. We hypothesize that abnormal platelet activation could contribute to broader immune system dysfunction in ME/CFS.
This study is funded by ME Research UK and will uniquely use cohorts from three geographical regions: Australia, New Zealand and now the United Kingdom, thanks to our team being selected to receive free samples from the UK ME/CFS biobank.
We’re excited about the potential of this study to uncover biomarkers and deepen our understanding of ME/CFS and its underlying mechanisms, ultimately paving the way for better diagnostics and treatments.
2. Dr Kempuraj Duraisamy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Title: Measurement of Neuroinflammatory Markers in the Serum of Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Summary:
This biomarker study could find useful neuroinflammatory markers for at least a subgroup of patients with ME/CFS, who may be amenable to specific treatment approaches. There are gaps in our knowledge of pathogenesis, objective diagnosis, and prognosis of ME/CFS, hampering the development of effective treatments.
Specific diagnostic molecular markers remain to be elucidated for ME/CFS. We will investigate levels of neuroimmune/neuroinflammatory markers in the blood of mild-moderate (MM) and severely affected (SAP) cases, and age-matched healthy control subjects' for cross cross-sectional study. This will help us better understand neuronal functions and pathogenesis in ME/CFS patients. Such biomarkers may be useful for identifying at least a subgroup of patients with ME/CFS, who may be amenable to certain treatment approaches.
MEA Comment
Congratulations to the two winners in the competition to supply free blood samples from the ME Biobank in order to encourage new research interest in ME/CFS.
It was also very encouraging to find that there were 20 high quality applications in all. So the ME Biobank is exploring ways in which it may still be able to help some of these researchers.
The ME Biobank is now a vital piece of UK research infrastructure and is sending samples, along with anonymised clinical information, to research groups on a worldwide basis.
The ME Association Ramsay Research Fund pays for most of the basic running costs at the ME Biobank – which currently amounts to around £80,000 per annum.
Dr Charles Shepherd,
Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association,
Member of the 2018-2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS committee,
Member of the 2002 Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME/CFS
