Roadmap for Immunomodulators

What are we trying to achieve and why? What is the problem we are trying to solve?

Improved understanding of the innate defence mechanisms, including sensory mechanisms, and how they can be modulated by specific agents.

What are the scientific and technological challenges (knowledge gaps needing to be addressed)?

Determine host responses to diet and microbiome interactions.
Define mechanisms of interaction between pathogens and host.
Understand how long (or short) the innate memory lasts. Identify products that can modify the duration.

What approaches could/should be taken to address the research question?

Coupling OMICs of microbiome-host (agonist and antagonist) interaction to immune responses: High-resolution metagenome analyses (shotgun metagenomics, MAGs), metabolomics, metaproteomics, glycomics.
Developing experimental models and assays (screening systems for potential agonists).
Define/Identify vaccines that can induce and increase duration of innate immune memory (e.g., target monocytes/macrophages).

What else needs to be done before we can solve this need?

Existing knowledge including successes and failures