From Lungs to Mind: Developing a Multi-Omics and 3PM Framework for Respiratory Infections and Neurodegenerative Risk in Africa

This interdisciplinary project seeks to bridge microbiology, virology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence to investigate how respiratory infections; particularly RSV and emerging viruses, impact long-term brain health through the lung-brain axis. In Africa, where respiratory illnesses are prevalent and neurodegenerative disorders are under-studied, this research aims to develop a Predictive, Preventive, Personalized Medicine (3PM) framework using multi-omics data (microbiome, metabolome, genomics) and machine learning. The project will: Profile lung and gut microbiota changes post-infection in African cohorts. Identify biomarkers linking respiratory pathogens to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline. Build a predictive AI model for neurodegenerative risk stratification. Propose low-cost, culturally adapted preventive strategies for at-risk populations. By integrating wet-lab research, data science, and community health engagement, this work will pioneer a translational, interdisciplinary approach to mitigating the long-term burden of infectious diseases on brain health in Africa.