Detailed description of project

The main objective of the project is the identification of biomarkers for the prediction of the possibility for cellular mutations leading to carcinogenicity, as well as some important clinical characteristics of the cancer. This will be investigated through the bioinformatics analysis of large volumes of genetic data of brain tumor patients and the development of advanced algorithms, based to a significant extent on a unique and unutilized clinical database that will be provided for this purpose by a specialized medical laboratory from Imperial College, London.The desired outcome is the development of a reliable prediction mechanism, which in conjunction with the results of a simple DNA test, will be able to provide a prediction of cancerous mutations as well as of their nature. This mechanism could be utilized as a medical screening procedure for high-risk individuals, and as a disease process predictor for current patients for the optimization of their treatment.Such a development would have a significant international appeal and could generate equally significant financial returns. The prediction process would only require DNA test results and not the physical presence of the patient and could take place in Greece for patients around the world, even via a web service. The project gives a significant importance to the dissemination of its results to the academic and medical world through international publications and conferences, as it is necessary to inform and convince the people that refer the patients for examinations of the importance and reliability of the method, before we can start thinking about financial exploitation.

Type and scope of work provided

The services provided include:
– Requirements analysis for algorithms that will be used to derive the bio-indicators
– Development of a platform that will enable prediction algorithms and derive estimations on results
– Dissemination of results: scientific papers, conferences