In our projects we gather different types of data using various kinds of tools and techniques. The most important ones are described here:

Metadata

Questionnaires are completed by all participants, including information on health status, diet, lifestyle.

Genome

DNA is isolated from EDTA blood and several platforms are used for genomic analysis: Illumina SNP arrays, and from part of the volunteers whole exome sequencing. DNA is available for extension of the genetic studies.

Transcriptome

The transcriptome will be assessed in several setting: whole blood profiles (collected in PAXgene tubes), and in vitro after stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with various ligands of pattern recognition receptors, bacterial, viral or fungal stimuli.

Metabolome

The metabolome will be measured in plasma and urine.

Microbiome

The bacterial composition will be determined using 16S sequencing and metagenomics using the platfroms developed by the Broad Institute/MIT within the Human Microbiome Project. The microbiome in faecal, oral, vaginal and skin niches will be assessed.

Phenotypical immunological data

The distribution in blood of immune cell populations is measured using extensive FACS analysis.

Functional immunological data

  • Several sets of immunological data will be available:
  • humoral immune responses: immunoglobulin subclasses
  • monocyte-derived cytokines and lymphocyte-derived cytokines will be assessed after stimulation of primary human PBMC
  • monocyte-derived macrophages will be differentiated and stimulated in vitro
  • stimulations are performed with:
    • purified TLR-ligands
    • whole bacteria: Gram-positive, Gram-negative, mycobacteria
    • viral (influenza) and fungal (Candida, Aspergillus) stimuli.
    • the concentration of various cytokines is measured in cell culture supernatants using ELISA.

Thrombocyte function

Cognitive functions

In a subgroup of volunteers from 500FG study, cognitive tests and functional brain MRIs are also available

Additional materials such as DNA, microbiome samples, plasma, serum, urine is available in the bio-bank for additional measurements in the future.