A scientific program to understand, map, and lay the groundwork for precision medicine.
The IHU Infiny embodies an ambitious vision for the future of medicine in IBD, adopting an interdisciplinary and patient-centered approach. It brings together the efforts of researchers, healthcare professionals, and patients, while relying on a wide range of partnerships with industry and innovation leaders.
The ambition and scope of the IHU Infiny’s scientific program played a key role in securing substantial public funding for its launch. These initial investments reflect the trust placed in the Institute and its potential to make a significant contribution to the advancement of medicine and public health.
However, it is long-term commitment that will ensure the sustainability of these time-consuming and costly initiatives. With a total budget for the project over 10 years estimated at over €100 million, support through sponsorship and partnerships and partnerships will be invaluable in helping the IHU meet future challenges and transform discoveries into concrete solutions for patients.
The goal of the Infiny scientific program is to advance research in order to understand the mechanisms of chronic inflammation in IBD, enable early diagnosis, prevent complications, thoroughly map the damage caused by these diseases, and explore new treatment pathways.
Flagship projects include comprehensive functional mapping of the microbiota, understanding environmental factors and epigenetic modifications, analyzing cardiovascular components, and identifying molecular and cellular markers.
WP1 - Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of IBD
Coordinators: Benoît CHASSAING (Inserm, Institut Pasteur) and Djésia ARNONE (Inserm, NGERE)
Leader: Benoit CHASSAING (U1306, Institut Pasteur)
Studying the influence of intestinal microbiome diversity on the progression of IBD and exploring microbiome modulation as a therapeutic strategy. Translational efforts aim to develop therapies that modulate the microbiota, such as probiotics, prebiotics, or dietary interventions. The effectiveness of these therapies will be tested in clinical trials, with a focus on their safety, efficacy, and impact on patients’ quality of life.
Leader: Djésia ARNONE (U1256, NGERE)
Identifying environmental factors and epigenetic modifications that, alone or in combination, have the potential to modify or cause the pathogenesis of IBD. Once identified, their direct pathogenic properties will be evaluated in cellular and animal models as part of subsequent studies.
Leader: Jérémy LAGRANGE (U1116, DCAC)
Elucidating the interaction between immunothrombosis and the resolution of inflammation to restore normal immunothrombosis homeostasis, reduce disease complications, and promote long-term remission in patients.
Leaders: Benoit CHASSAING and Djésia ARNONE
Identify molecular and cellular markers of normality and systemic damage. Once identified, these markers of systemic damage—key targets of interest—will be used for disease monitoring or as therapeutic targets.
WP2 - Precision imaging for precision surgery and medicine
Coordinators: Freddy ODILLE (IADI, University of Lorraine) and Valérie LAURENT (Nancy University Hospital)
Comprehensive mapping of Crohn’s disease lesions (including perineural lesions) using novel MRI sequences and virtual MRI histology, and development of an MRI index for inflammation and fibrosis.
Development of an electro-enterograph: an innovative, non-invasive solution for monitoring intestinal function through electrical activity. Textile-based ‘second skin’ medical solutions for electro-enterography will be used to differentiate between inflammation and fibrosis, assess treatment response, and predict acute flare-ups.
Deployment and dissemination of developed precision imaging tools.
WP3 - Personalized therapies, non-pharmacological approaches, and prediction of therapeutic response effectiveness
Coordinators: Benoît CHASSAING (Inserm, Institut Pasteur) and David MOULIN (UL-CNRS IMOPA)
Predict patient susceptibility to dietary factors and their responsiveness to therapeutic interventions.
Development of alternative therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating microbiota function.
Individualized in-vivo whole-body study of the biodistribution of biotherapies: a companion test to optimize treatment (patient eligibility, selection of the best compound, dose adjustment, etc.).
Development of an ex vivo system with in situ monitoring of biochemical changes.
WP4 - Home monitoring and early detection of Crohn's disease flare-ups
Coordinators: Laurent PEYRIN-BIROULET (Nancy University Hospital) and Bénédicte CARON (Nancy University Hospital)
Create a new chatbot-like tool for patients, offering features such as registration, reminders, direct queries, and informal conversations.
Develop new tools (visual and vocal markers) to identify Crohn’s disease flare-ups early and intervene at the initial stages.
Facilitate early intervention and confirm relapses at home.
Determine whether a patient requires specific tests, thereby enhancing the diagnostic process and therapeutic interventions.
Develop a scalable and adaptable home monitoring application for patients with Crohn’s disease, in collaboration with AFA Crohn RCH.
WP5 - Care and Prevention Programs
Coordinators : Laurent PEYRIN-BIROULET (Nancy University Hospital), Bénédicte CARON, (Nancy University Hospital) and Nelly AGRINIER (UL/INSERM – UMR 1319 INSPIIRE) – In partnership with AFA Crohn RCH
Building a comprehensive care pathway to enhance care for IBD patients. The development and pilot testing of the program include the scope of the RHU I-DEAL application for Crohn’s disease.
Creation of the Infiny platform, comprising a physical space for consultations and research, integrated with a virtual hub (remote monitoring, tele-expertise, tele-consultation) to expand the reach of preventive measures and ensure continuous patient engagement.
Validate the feasibility of GP measurement of fecal calprotectin (CALPRO GP) in detecting IBD in patients with functional bowel disorders (involving 200 GPs and 690 patients), prior to conducting a larger-scale study to determine whether the CALPRO pathway can be routinely implemented.
Evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and implementation of prevention programs. This includes customized study designs, specific and diverse outcomes, such as patient-reported outcomes and patient experience measures, as well as a nuanced understanding of how context influences program outcomes.
Launch a large-scale prevention campaign aimed at educating the general public on maintaining daily intestinal health. This research will also help identify risk factors for IBD, enabling targeted preventive measures for high-risk populations and encouraging them to undergo screening.
WP6 - Infiny Cohort and data
Recruitment of 2,000 IBD patients and 1,000 healthy volunteers over a 10-year period
Development of a comprehensive data warehouse integrating imaging data, biological results, endoscopy records, remote ultrasound results, and multi-omics data, in coordination with the health data warehouse established by the Nancy University Hospital.
Units and platforms
DCAC - Acute and Chronic Cardiovascular Failure
The Acute and Chronic Cardiovascular Failure Unit (DCAC) holds a leading position in clinical research—focusing on ageing, telomeres, heart failure, acquired inflammatory chronic vascular diseases, and sepsis—as well as in experimental research on mechanotransduction (arterial stiffness), thrombophilias, and immunoinflammation (TREM-1 and resolvins). The unit is organized into two teams: ‘Vascular Stiffness – Inflammation – Thrombosis’ and ‘Personalized Medicine in Heart Failure and Cardiovascular Ageing’.
IADI - Adaptive Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging
The IADI Adaptive Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging Unit (UL-INSERM U1254) specializes in MRI. Leveraging its multidisciplinary expertise—spanning electronics, instrumentation, MRI physics, advanced signal processing, and machine learning—the laboratory has established itself as a leader in the design of MRI-compatible instrumentation and the development of innovative MRI acquisition and reconstruction methods.
IMoPA - Molecular Engineering and Joint Physiopathology
The Molecular Engineering and Joint Pathophysiology Unit leverages a broad spectrum of expertise to conduct research at molecular, structural, cellular, and integrated levels. This is complemented by multidisciplinary translational research in cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and chronic inflammatory diseases. The unit’s work ranges from producing clinical-grade stem or immune cells for antiviral therapies or transplant rejection prevention to designing biomaterials for vascular and osteoarticular replacement. These biomaterials are characterized using advanced imaging techniques, alongside investigations into the pathophysiological links between inflammatory joint and digestive diseases.
INSPIIRE - Interdisciplinarity in Public Health, Interventions, and Complex Measurement Tools
The Adaptation, Measurement, and Evaluation in Health – Interdisciplinary Approaches Unit (APEMAC) focuses on four cross-disciplinary themes, co-developed and guided by researchers from the Complex Measures and Interventions in Health (MICS) and Adaptation, Health Behaviour, and Psychological Care (EPSAM) teams. The research themes cover prevention and health promotion, medical and psychotherapeutic care, and the organization of healthcare services and pathways. Methodological reflection is structured around a Concepts and Methods theme, which examines both complex health interventions and measures of perceived health.
NGERE - Nutrition-Genetics and Exposure to Environmental Risks
The Nutrition-Genetics and Exposure to Environmental Risks Unit (NGERE) focuses its research on both normal and pathological ageing trajectories, particularly regarding monocarbon and micronutrient metabolism, as well as the epigenome. The unit conducts preclinical studies on innovative treatments for rare diseases, steatohepatitis, and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, in collaboration with PAT, Inotrem, and Aprofol.
The unit’s scientific program is supported by its strong involvement in regional, national, and international initiatives, including the FHU ARRIMAGE, the GEENAGE impact program of the I-Site LUE Lorraine University of Excellence, the regional OMAGE project, and three international projects: NuttMed, DIFAMEM, and Euronanomed.
