Decoding DCM: A Multi-Omics Approach

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a severe heart muscle disease that leads to progressive weakening of the heart chambers, impaired pumping function, and, ultimately, heart failure. Despite its impact on public health, especially in Saudi Arabia, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood, and robust diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are still lacking.

This project, led by Dr. Dilek Colak, applies an integrated multi-omics approach to uncover the molecular drivers of DCM. Specifically, we will combine myocardial microRNA (miRNA) profiles with global mRNA expression and proteomics datasets from Saudi DCM patients. By bringing together these layers of information and applying network-based computational biology, we aim to identify reliable biomarker panels that can improve diagnosis, prognosis, and disease management.

A unique feature of this study is the comparative analysis of all four heart chambers (left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, right ventricle). This will allow us to determine both region-specific and disease-specific alterations in gene and miRNA expression, providing deeper insight into how DCM uniquely affects heart function in Saudi patients.

Furthermore, integrating gene expression and proteomic data with protein–protein interaction networks will enable a precise mapping of gene–miRNA interactions and regulatory mechanisms. This systems-level perspective has the potential to uncover novel Saudi-specific disease pathways and candidate therapeutic targets.

The expected outcomes include the discovery of disease-specific biomarker signatures and regulatory networks that shed light on the mechanisms of DCM. These findings will not only contribute to improved patient stratification and management in Saudi Arabia but will also advance global understanding of heart muscle diseases, supporting the development of precision cardiology approaches. Project is submitted to RDIA for funding (RAC# 2180031).