Integrating Multi-Omics and Immune Profiling to Unravel Disease Risk

In the evolving landscape of biomedical science, the integration of multi-omics technologies to dissect the complexities of human immunity is opening new frontiers. Dr. Jeremie Poschmann, based at INSERM and Université de Nantes, stands at the vanguard of this transformation, pioneering data-driven approaches that leverage genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics to probe the intricate dynamics of the circulating immune system. His work, recently highlighted in a compelling interview published in Genomic Psychiatry, underscores how large-scale multi-dimensional data are redefining our understanding of immune variation and its impact on health and disease.

Dr. Poschmann’s scientific journey is as unorthodox as it is inspiring. Trained originally as a nurse, he transitioned into systems biology, a shift fueled by a passion for uncovering the stories embedded within biological data. His early fascination with genome-wide discovery, particularly in model organisms like yeast, sparked a commitment to let data guide hypothesis generation rather than constraining research within pre-set questions. This mindset has proven transformative, enabling his team to develop novel signatures of immune function that capture patient-specific trajectories through health and illness.

Central to Poschmann’s research is the concept of the circulating immune system as a living archive of past immunological events. Blood serves not merely as a diagnostic medium but as a dynamic window into the layered histories of exposure, infection, and genetic predispositions that collectively shape immune competence. By applying multi-omics profiling — integrating genomic sequences, RNA expression profiles, and protein quantifications — his lab constructs highly detailed immune circuitry maps. This approach facilitates unprecedented resolution in defining immune states, immune memory, and their fluctuations across diverse populations.

These metabolic and molecular blueprints hold transformative potential for addressing pressing clinical challenges. For example, differing immune baselines could illuminate why viral infections like SARS-CoV-2 manifest with such heterogeneous outcomes among patients. By capturing a patient’s immunological signature prior to infection or treatment, Dr. Poschmann’s team aims to predict disease severity, response to vaccines, or even likelihood of developing neuropsychiatric sequelae. This paradigm shift from reactive to predictive immunology posits a future where personalized immune profiling guides tailored interventions and proactive health strategies.

Achieving these goals requires not only biological insight but also sophisticated computational frameworks. Frustrated early in his career by the bottlenecks posed by limited bioinformatics support, Dr. Poschmann acquired programming skills independently. This technical self-reliance catalyzed a new approach to research wherein iterative data analysis, machine learning models, and systems-level integration occur fluidly within the lab. By embracing computational fluency, his group models immune complexity with high dimensionality and temporal depth — essential for decoding the stochastic yet patterned nature of immune regulation.

An emerging theme in Poschmann’s work is the profound impact of pre-existing immune conditions shaped by an individual’s life history, environment, and genetics. These foundational immune landscapes help explain individual variability in susceptibility and resilience to disease. Understanding these intrinsic immune “set points” and their molecular underpinnings represents a crucial step towards deploying immune monitoring as a routine clinical tool. Such insights may eventually inform vaccine formulation strategies optimized for subpopulations or identify early biomarkers predictive of psychiatric disorders linked to immune dysfunction.

Beyond the laboratory bench, Dr. Poschmann actively advocates for systemic improvements in research infrastructure, particularly emphasizing the need for stable career pathways for postdoctoral researchers and technical staff. He asserts that scientific advances depend heavily on continuity and collaboration, elements threatened by precarious employment conditions prevalent in academic research across Europe. Poschmann’s call to action highlights the importance of investing in the entire scientific ecosystem to sustain innovation and knowledge transfer.

At the core of his leadership is a holistic, inclusive philosophy that values originality and mindset over traditional metrics like grades. Drawing on his nursing background, he fosters a lab culture rooted in compassion, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This ethos not only nurtures creativity but also attracts talent capable of thinking differently about complex biological problems, which is essential in navigating the multi-faceted challenges of systems immunology.

Outside the intellectual rigor of research, Poschmann finds balance in the Atlantic waves off the French coast. Surfing has become both a metaphor and practical outlet for patience, resilience, and timing — qualities mirrored in the patient, deliberate process of scientific discovery. The capricious rhythm of the ocean aligns with the uncertainty scientists embrace, where persistence eventually meets breakthrough.

Dr. Poschmann’s work exemplifies the increasingly blurred boundaries between biology, computation, and medicine. His ambition is not merely to deepen biological insights but to translate them meaningfully into clinical care. By harnessing multi-omics data and system-level analyses, he envisions a healthcare future where immune profiling informs personalized therapies, preventive measures, and real-time disease monitoring.

The implications of this research ripple far beyond immunology, touching psychiatric medicine, infectious disease management, and public health policy. The ability to quantify and interpret immune memory at scale may revolutionize how society approaches vaccination, treatment customization, and early intervention for a myriad of diseases influenced by immune dysfunction.

As the multi-omics revolution continues, several critical questions demand attention. How can complex, high-dimensional immune data be distilled into actionable clinical metrics accessible at the point of care? What infrastructural and computational frameworks must be developed to support widespread use of personalized immune profiles? And fundamentally, what societal investment and scientific collaboration will break down barriers preventing the realization of a prevention-first, precision health model?

Dr. Jeremie Poschmann’s journey and research represent a compelling microcosm of modern biomedicine’s evolution towards data-driven, integrative approaches. His pioneering multi-omic profiling of the circulating immune system not only advances scientific understanding but also lays the groundwork for a transformative impact on healthcare delivery, fostering a future where personalized medicine is the norm rather than the exception.

Subject of Research: People

Article Title: Jeremie Poschmann: Data-driven discovery in human diseases through multi-omics profiling of the circulating immune system

News Publication Date: 22-Apr-2025

Web References:
https://doi.org/10.61373/gp025k.0023
https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/

Image Credits: Jeremie Poschmann, PhD

Keywords: multi-omics, circulating immune system, systems biology, immunology, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, personalized medicine, immune profiling, data-driven discovery, SARS-CoV-2, vaccine response, psychiatric disorders

Tags: biomedical data-driven approachescirculating immune system dynamicsdisease risk assessmentDr. Jeremie Poschmann interviewgenomic psychiatry highlightsgenomics transcriptomics proteomicshealth and disease understandingimmune profiling researchmulti-omics integrationpatient-specific immune signaturessystems biology in immunologytransformative biomedical research