EMBRACE

From Patient-Derived Models to Virtual Patients

About the Project

EMBRACE (Engineered Models and Platforms for Biomolecular and AI-based Cell & Tissue Exploration) is a three-year pilot project that combines cutting-edge experimental research with data-driven AI methods.

The initial focus is on colorectal cancer (CRC). To this end, patient-derived organoids, tissue section cultures, high-resolution imaging, omics technologies are combined with AI-based modeling. The data obtained is continuously fed into digital models, which in turn enable new research approaches and experiments.

The project is based on three closely integrated platforms:

Tissue Model Platform
Imaging, Omics & Manipulation Platform
AI-based Virtual Patient Modeling Framework

Together, they lay the foundation for a new generation of personalized and data-driven biomedical research.

A central component of EMBRACE is the close collaboration between experimental and data science research groups. As part of an iterative “lab-in-the-loop” approach, biological data from organoids and tissue models are continuously linked to AI-based predictive models. This allows new hypotheses to be generated, experimentally tested, and the virtual patient models to be continuously improved.

Collaboration on the EMBRACE Project

The Tumor Biology & Research Lab at the MOLIT Institute brings its extensive expertise in developing and analyzing patient-derived tumor models to the project. The research group cultivates tissue samples as three-dimensional cell models (organoids) and uses state-of-the-art microscopy and analytical methods to better understand cancer development, tumor progression, and treatment response.

Within EMBRACE, the team is particularly responsible for:

building and expanding a comprehensive organoid biobank,
developing innovative tissue slice and ex vivo models,
conducting functional drug testing, including longitudinal microscopy-based methods,
validating AI-generated predictions in biological models,
providing high-quality data for the development of virtual patient models.

With this, the Tumor Biology & Research Lab, led by Martin Jechlinger, makes an essential contribution to the biological foundation of EMBRACE.

EMBRACE brings together the expertise of several research groups from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the MOLIT Institute for Personalized Medicine, pooling competencies in tumor biology, imaging, omics technologies, data science, and artificial intelligence. On the EMBL side, the Korbel Group, the Prevedel Lab, the Stegle Lab, and the Bork Group, among others, contribute their expertise in genomics, imaging, AI-supported data analysis, and computational modeling of complex biological systems. The MOLIT Institute participates through the Tumor Biology & Research Lab, led by Martin Jechlinger, and the Data Science & AI unit, led by Stefan Sigle.

While Martin Jechlinger and his team develop patient-derived tumor models, enable their functional validation, and establish phenotyping methods, Stefan Sigle and his team make key contributions to data integration, AI modeling, interoperability, and clinical decision support. Together with the participating EMBL groups, they are creating the biological and digital foundation for the development of virtual patient models within EMBRACE.

Funded by

The Dieter Schwarz Stiftung supports the development of innovative research and technology solutions at the Heilbronn site, thereby laying the groundwork for close collaboration between science, technology, and medical applications. The EMBRACE project is being carried out as part of this strategic funding initiative.

Contact

For further information or
if you have any questions, please contact

Martin Jechlinger

Senior Scientist