The Future Directions in Sickle Cell Disease Using Network Medicine and AI Integration workshop will take place September 15–16, 2026. Attendees will be invited to attend the workshop virtually via NIH VideoCast. 

The overarching goals of the workshop are to:

· Foster cross-disciplinary collaborations by bringing together researchers in distinct scientific fields to advance scientific discovery in sickle cell disease (SCD)

· Prioritize research questions that integrate new models for drug discovery and endpoint validation while advancing our understanding of the pathophysiology of SCD

· Encourage bold thinking that explores new technologies and models while connecting scientific disciplines in new ways

Together, these will accelerate the development of predictive, translational platforms that support both basic pathophysiological studies and precision therapeutic development in SCD.

Session 1: SCD and NAMS — Innovative Technologies for Studying SCD Pathophysiology

Innovative technologies are transforming the study of SCD by enabling precise, physiologically relevant assessment of key disease mechanisms, including red blood cell deformability, adhesion, hemolysis, and vaso-occlusion. Such platforms align well with the broader vision of next-generation alternative model systems (NAMS) in SCD research. Micro-physiological systems—including microfluidic vascular models, organoids, and engineered tissue platforms—can complement traditional animal and cell culture models by offering human-relevant, mechanistic insights into disease progression and treatment response. 

Session 2: Biomarker Discovery and Validation in SCD — Drug Repurposing and Computational Pharmacogenomics

There have been advances in identifying molecular, genetic, and imaging biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response when it comes to SCD. This session will discuss multiomic approaches (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to discovering novel biomarkers. It will also discuss translational challenges—e.g., validation, clinical utility, and standardization of biomarker use in SCD.

Session 3: Systems Medicine and Integrative Approaches to SCD

This session will explore systems biology models aiming to increase our understanding of the complex interactions among genetic, environmental, and clinical factors in SCD-related pain and complications. The session will also discuss multi-scale modeling and network analysis seeking to identify new therapeutic targets. It will highlight the integration of AI and machine learning approaches and digital phenotyping (DT models) for pain prediction and clinical data for holistic disease management. 

 Event Details:

📅 Date: September 15–16, 2026
💻 Virtual Workshop: Prior to the meeting, attendees will be provided with the NIH VideoCast link to view the workshop. 

Contact:

For questions or to request reasonable accommodations to participate in this event, please email Julia D’Albora at julia.d'albora@nih.gov.