Allan Stensballe, an Associate Professor at Aalborg University and University Hospital, delivered a presentation on immunoprofiling in autoimmune disorders, with a particular focus on rheumatoid arthritis. His research primarily targeted the identification of triggers and early detection of autoimmune disorders, which could be influenced by various factors, including environmental and genetic components. Stensballe elaborated on the use of advanced technologies such as protein array and mass spectrometry to study disease pathology and monitor biomarkers in clinical samples like blood, serum, and plasma.
He highlighted the significance of autoantibodies as stable molecules present in the system years before the onset of disease symptoms, making them valuable biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of autoimmune disorders. Stensballe's team developed assays to monitor protein citrullination, a key aspect of rheumatoid arthritis pathology, using protein arrays. This technology enabled the distinction between different patient groups and provided insights into disease pathology and treatment response.
Stensballe also discussed two clinical projects: one on rheumatoid arthritis and another on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These projects involved deep proteomic analysis and AI-driven imaging to assess disease progression and treatment response. The use of AI-driven scanning robots allowed for the automatic assessment of joint health, correlating imaging data with proteomics to understand disease progression and treatment efficacy.
Stensballe's presentation underscored the importance of early detection and innovative treatment approaches in managing autoimmune disorders. His research demonstrated the potential of combining advanced proteomic technologies with AI-driven imaging to provide a comprehensive understanding of disease dynamics and improve patient outcomes.
