ME/CFS: MedUni Vienna leads EU-wide million-euro project 'Discover Me'

The Medical University of Vienna is spearheading a significant new EU-wide research initiative, "Discover Me," dedicated to unraveling the complexities of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and related conditions like Long COVID.

Funded with over 7.5 million euros through the EU's "Horizon Europe" program, the four-year project aims to establish a foundation for better diagnostics and the development of tailored treatment strategies. "Our goal is to offer patients a reliable diagnosis and a treatment perspective tailored to their individual disease mechanisms in the future," stated lead immunologist Eva Untersmayr-Elsenhuber.

The research will involve collecting 2,000 datasets in the initial phase to identify different manifestations of ME/CFS. Subsequently, a comprehensive biological characterization will be performed using samples from over 700 ME/CFS patients and nearly 200 control subjects from European biobanks. The study will examine changes in the immune system, metabolism, hormonal balance, and mitochondrial function, analyzing large molecular datasets.

Furthermore, the project plans to investigate over 9,000 existing drug compounds using computer simulations, with the aim of selecting 20 to 50 promising candidates for further research. This multi-faceted approach seeks to identify reproducible biomarkers and classify ME/CFS into clinically relevant subtypes based on biological mechanisms.

"Discover Me" addresses a critical need, as an estimated 3 million people in Germany alone are affected by Post COVID, ME/CFS, or Post-Vac, often bearing the cost of their own therapies. Globally, up to 70 million people are estimated to suffer from ME/CFS, highlighting the urgent need for advancements in diagnosis and treatment.

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Our goal is to offer patients a reliable diagnosis and a treatment perspective tailored to their individual disease mechanisms in the future.