The European training network IMAGE-IN aims to contribute to the reduction of the worldwide mortality rate caused by infectious diseases by educating a new generation of leading experts in advanced imaging and data analysis methods that will help to better understand and fight infections. The network will provide cutting-edge insights into molecular imaging, multiscale visualization of infections and host response that can help to detect infection, determine its severity and characterize the cause of infection in a time efficient manner to enable personalized treatment. IMAGE-IN actively involves the non-academic sector (SMEs and hospitals) in a unique doctoral training to increase the employability of the IMAGE-IN researchers and to adapt their new skills to the needs of businesses and wider society. While molecular imaging is already common in the clinic, the five research projects target on how data from different imaging modalities can be combined for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of difficult-to-treat infections and ultimately, can lead to faster diagnostics. These domains play essential roles in understanding pathogenesis of infections but also expedite bench-to-bedside translation of new biophotonic and spectroscopic insights (e.g. for diagnostics or later for therapy). The five projects' supervisors have proven track records of success in research and training and bring in perspectives from the public and the private sector. Trainee mobility within the network, in combination with dedication, strong affiliations and technology, creates a highly synergistic framework for success. This assures efficient transfer of excellent academic results to the industry and strengthens Europe's human capital base in R&I through a new generation of entrepreneurial and highly-skilled early career researchers.

Leishmaniasis control is the topic for EUROLEISH-NET, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie – Innovative Training Network. Leishmaniasis is a neglected infectious disease and a major public health and veterinary problem that afflicts both developing countries and Europe. The current technological and epidemiological advances underpin the necessity to develop training programmes aiming at developing new tools and strategies to control of leishmaniasis. An excellent group of academic and non-academic institutions in Europe and abroad will host 15 PhD students who will receive training in this programme. The expertise and training that will be offered ranges from parasitology to molecular science, genetics, epidemiology and strategic interventions. The 15 research projects designed encompass drug discovery, drug resistance, diagnostics and vaccine development, population genetics, vector control and integrated control programmes. The designated project supervisors have proven track records of success in research and in training. The incorporation of trainee mobility into the network, together with the commitment, strong affiliations and technology transfer between the participants provide a highly synergistic framework for success. The EUROLEISH-NET coordinators have proven experience in laboratory, field, administrative and financial management, supported by a meticulously planned series of meetings and diligent monitoring of the progression of each researcher. We anticipate an extremely productive training and research output from EUROLEISH-NET. We expect to train the next generation of leading research scientists in this field, endowed with skills that are broadly and internationally transposable.

Progress in biomedical research and healthcare requires profiting from the huge amount of data and knowledge that are generated. However, most of the potential users have no means to efficiently exploit this wealth of information. Up to now, many of the efforts done for developing bioinformatics methods and applications have not produced the expected societal impact for different reasons, including: 1) the deficit of integrative approaches that effectively combine different types of data from different sources; and 2) the lack of active involvement of the potential users (from experimental scientists to healthcare professionals) in the process of creating applications that mine, integrate, analyse and display biomedical information in a way that is immediately understandable and useful ('actionable') by the end users. The present project tries to overcome this issue by involving a multidisciplinary team of experienced bioinformaticians, and experimental and clinical scientists in the design and development of demanded bioinformatics applications. The bioinformaticians will develop medical-oriented integrative methods and applications (New Generation Genotype-Phenotype Explorations, Disease Biomarker Browser, Disease Trajectory Comorbidity Browser, Cancer Genome Interpreter, etc.), while the experimental and clinical partners will actively participate in the design and assessment of the applications, as well as in the curation of customized resources. The experimental and clinical partners belong to two completely different medical specialties (oncology and psychiatry), which have a big impact in citizens’ wellbeing. Moreover, the commonalities existing between the needs of these disparate specialties will facilitate the identification and design of applications likely to satisfy the needs of biomedical professionals in other areas. Finally, the project aims to setup a platform for the sustainable exploitation of the tools developed throughout its execution.

Clinical need: 10% of the population worldwide is affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD) and millions die each year because they do not have access to treatment. Giving global shortage of kidney donors, the vast majority of patients rely on hemodialysis (HD). Over 2.6M people worldwide currently receive HD to stay alive, yet this number may only represent 10% of people needing treatment. Solution: Up to 70% of current arteriovenous grafts (AVG) fail in the first year after implantation. This is primarily due to thrombosis, luminal scar formation, and infection. In our ground-breaking new AVG, biomimicking zwitterions prevent thrombosis, drug delivery prevents scar formation and infection, and an ECM coating ensures fast tissue integration allowing early HD. Smart: TELEGRAFT comprises two diagnostic tools to monitor and prevent device complication. Pressure transmitters are used to monitor blood flow and optical sensors to detect inflammation and infections. The data is processed by AI machine learning models and displayed in an easy to understand dashboard for healthcare professionals. The data allows online telemonitoring and consultations by remote healthcare professionals. This makes home dialysis safe for patients, even in areas with poor infrastructure, where patients live far from HD clinics. Surgical implantation: The TELEGRAFT system will be demonstrated in an operational environment through a 2-stage randomized clinical trial enrolling 60 patients at 5 hospitals across Europe and through a home HD field study. Resource constrained setting: (1) In low and middle income countries, TELEGRAFT will substitute complicated and expensive kidney transplantation and allow simpler and cheap implantation of AVG for HD. (2) TELEGRAFT is the only solution with diagnostic tools allowing real-time online detection and remote monitoring of complications and device failure. This allows transition from HD at the hospital to the resource constrained home setting.