In this interview, Holger Heyn, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of Omniscope, discusses how the company's cutting-edge immunology technologies are driving advancements in HIV research within the EPIVINF project
Can you tell us about your background and the mission of Omniscope?
My name is Holger Heyn, and I am the Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of Omniscope. Omniscope is a systems immunology company that leverages the adaptive immune system to develop next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. We’re based in Barcelona and are thrilled to be part of the EPIVINF consortium.
What does being part of EPIVINF mean for Omniscope?
Joining EPIVINF is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with extraordinary colleagues across Europe. It allows us to apply our cutting-edge technology in clinical trials, where we can make an immediate impact.
Can you elaborate on the technology Omniscope brings to EPIVINF?
Certainly. EPIVINF vaccines target the adaptive immune system, which is precisely what our technologies analyze in high definition. We’ve developed single-cell resolved T and B cell sequencing technologies. These tools provide an in-depth, high-definition overview of the immune repertoire, offering unprecedented insights into immune responses.
What specific work is Omniscope contributing within the EPIVINF project?
In the context of EPIVINF, we’ve been testing the sensitivity and specificity of our assays in HIV research. This involves analyzing patient samples before and after HIV infection, as well as post-retroviral therapy. Our findings have shown an explosion of T and B cells following infection, some of which persist and play a role in protecting against future infections.
What are the unique challenges you face when working with human samples, particularly in infectious diseases?
Working with human samples is always challenging, especially in the field of infectious diseases. However, within EPIVINF, we have the necessary infrastructure and expertise to process these samples effectively. This sets us up for success and ensures that we can contribute meaningfully to the project.
What are your hopes for Omniscope’s role in EPIVINF?
We hope to contribute to the success story of EPIVINF by leveraging our advanced technologies and expertise. Our goal is to deepen understanding of immune responses and, ultimately, to help drive innovations that benefit patients worldwide.
Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
Being part of EPIVINF is both an honor and an exciting challenge. The collaboration and shared vision within the consortium inspire us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in systems immunology. We look forward to making a lasting impact.
