We started the Erasmus + program, with the implementation of partnerships with Crete, Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Spain. We proposed courses of 10 weeks (training reference). We carried out 4 outgoing student mobilities and 5 incoming mobilities. The students have validated their internship. A dissemination action was carried out in 2016. We plan to develop partnerships with other universities or Hautes Ecoles and increase the number of mobilities.We carried out 4 outgoing mobilities for the trainers with various themes of work (simulation in health) and welcomed several of our partners in France.

As of 30th March 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak had caused over 735,000 infections globally, claiming more than 35,000 lives. By the end of July 2020 these numbers have increased globally to more than 17 millions infections and more than 660,000 lives have been lost due to the disease. Rapid and definitive diagnosis of the specific SARS-CoV-2 is essential, while identifying other common viral and bacterial pathogens is beneficial in the management of treatment and in timely isolation of infected patients with overlapping clinical symptoms. A recent study has shown that 5.8% of SARS-CoV-2 infected and 18.4% of non-SARS-CoV-2-infected patients had other concurrent pathogen infections. Failure to distinguish different pathogens may lead to unnecessary antimicrobial use, cross-infection of mis-grouped patients and further spreading of the infection. Therefore, in response to the current outbreak, singleplex testing is not optimal, especially considering the virus may become permanently and globally endemic. Simple, sensitive and multiplex detection of all respiratory pathogens is technically challenging. In response to the need for faster and better detection of multiple respiratory pathogens, GeneFirst has developed a prototype using its innovative proprietary technology - MPA (Multiplex Probe Amplification) - to simultaneously detect and differentiate SARS-CoV-2 as well as 30 other common respiratory bacteria and viruses. This assay will allow for accurate, cost-effective and comprehensive diagnoses during the current outbreak as well as future routine diagnosis. In this project, the consortium aims to analytically and clinically validate (CE-mark) this assay on two automated platforms for Point-of-Care and core pathology testing. This strategy provides maximum flexibility in screening and triage, allowing better and faster care, alleviating pressures on healthcare systems and improving patient recovery rates. GeneFirst aim to commercialise the assay for £8.50 (€9.00) per test.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a prevalent mental disorder and a leading cause of suicide. Lithium (Li) is the key mood stabilizer for prevention of BD relapse and suicide. Whilst many cases become asymptomatic with Li treatment, the majority show sub-optimal response. Identifying biomarkers for predicting Liresponse would enable personalization of treatment, define criteria for stratification of BD cases and further refine the clinical response phenotype. The objectives of this proposal are to (i) improve outcomes of bipolar I disorder (BDI) cases prescribed Li through the application of stratified approaches; (ii) optimize the early prediction of lLi response using a set of multi-modal biomarkers (“blood omics”, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Li7-Magnetic Resonance Imaging derived-markers); (iii) develop a multidisciplinary multinational network of experts to undertake this and future projects on personalized diagnostics and therapeutics; and (iv) implement new, powerful technologies to characterize brain Li distribution and the blood molecular signature of Li in responders and non-responders. This cutting edge approach will identify the eligibility criteria for treatment with Li in BD in terms of response, safety and tolerability. The assessment of each putative biomarker (singly and combined) will be guided by preliminary findings already obtained by R-LiNK; our expertise will allow exploratory analyses and innovative modelling of multi-modal data. Likely impacts include improved outcomes and quality of life for BDI cases; development of a screening tool for clinicians; and an evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of this stratified approach. The network will develop new avenues of research on Li mechanisms of action and disease mechanisms; our industrial partnerships will enable development of medical devices to improve treatment adherence and patient’s autonomy, diagnostic kits, and tools based on the molecular signature in treatment responders.