Our research projects

Our research projects sit at the intersection of advanced science and tangible impact, driving new ways to diagnose, predict, and understand complex diseases.
Each initiative reflects our mission: turning high-resolution data into life-changing solutions.
MAMA Test
Theoreo has developed a noninvasive diagnostic test for prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) called M.A.MA Test (Metabolomics Approach for MAlformation).
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This test is based on bioinformatic analysis, by means of classification models and machine learning, of the metabolome extracted from a single drop of maten blood. It is therefore a noninvasive and safe method for both the mother and her baby.

The MAMA Test has been validated on a large cohort of pregnant women, and the first reuslts of this clinical trial have been published in the prestigious American journal of Obstetric and Gynecology (AJOG). The test is currently covered by national Italian and international patents.
Video Presentation of the early and non-invasive diagnostic "MAMA Test" developed by Theoreo laboratories.
Medea Test
Theoreo is active in the field of oncology. It has developed a diagnostic test for endometrial carcinoma, one of the most dreaded malignancies affecting women. The test is based on an innovative ensemble machine learning approach powered by a deep metabolomic profiling of a single drop of blood. The test is currently covered by national Italian and international patents.


Theoreo researchers have published several papers in international scientific journals supporting the robustness of this approach.
Recently, with the support of the Lega Italia per la lotta contro i tumori (LILT), the MEDEA Test underwent a large clinical trial to verify its clinical applicability. The results were reported in the prestigious journal JAMA Network Open.
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CD-GEMM
Theoreo represents the last M of the CD-GEMM project (Celiac Disease - Genetic Environmental Microbiome and Metabolomic Study).
With CD-GEMM we plan to follow the evolution of the intestinal microbiota in children at risk of developing celiac disease.

Objectives of the study are:
A. Study prospectively the changes in the microbiota and faecal metabolome in relation to the maternal fecal microbiota and the infant feeding pattern (breastfeeding, artificial feeding, introduction of complementary feeding).
B. To study blood levels of zonulin in relation to age, infant feeding methods and intestinal microbiota.
C. Identify any environmental factors (infections, use of antibiotics, number of cohabitants in the family, presence of domestic animals) associated with the development of celiac disease (assessed in terms of positivization of anti-transglutaminase anti-IgG and anti-gliadin IgA and IgG).
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TV Report on Celiac Disease
On July 17, 2015, a segment on gluten sensitivity aired on Superquark (Rai 1), filmed in the research laboratories of Theoreo.
GEMMA (Genome, Environment, Microbiome and Metabolome in Autism) was a groundbreaking European research project developed to address one of today’s most urgent neurodevelopmental challenges: the early identification and prevention of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Funded by the EU Horizon 2020 program, GEMMA brought together a multidisciplinary network of world-leading institutions to investigate how genetic, environmental, and microbial factors interact in early childhood to influence ASD development.
GEMMA
The goal was to move beyond late-stage behavioral diagnosis by identifying biological markers that could enable personalized, preventive strategies for children at increased risk—particularly those with an affected sibling.
Through the integration of genomics, metabolomics, microbiome profiling, and environmental data, GEMMA represented a new model for precision research in ASD, rooted in systems biology and early-life intervention.
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Theoreo led the metabolomics work package, applying high-resolution analysis to maternal and infant biosamples. Its work focused on identifying ASD-related metabolic patterns and developing AI-based predictive models in collaboration with consortium partners.Funded by the EU Horizon 2020 program, GEMMA brought together a multidisciplinary network of world-leading institutions to investigate how genetic, environmental, and microbial factors interact in early childhood to influence ASD development.

The project was carried out by a prestigious international team of experts from EBRIS, Nutricia Research, Medinok, Bio-Modeling Systems, Euformatics, the National University of Ireland Galway, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Salerno, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children (Harvard Medical School), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), INRA, INSERM, Utrecht University, University of Tampere, Imperial College London, and Johns Hopkins University.
GEMMA ran for five years and helped set a new benchmark for ASD research, offering one of the first large-scale, integrated efforts to predict and potentially prevent autism through biological insight and technological innovation.
AMBIOM
AMBIOM (Advanced Metabolomic Analysis and Multi-Omic Integration for Bioprinted and Microfluidic Models of Disease) is an Italian research project funded under the PNRR (D3 4 Health program), designed to advance the frontiers of precision medicine.
Its core goal is to create a new generation of diagnostic and predictive tools by integrating high-resolution metabolomic profiling with transcriptomic and epigenomic data, using innovative in vitro models such as 3D organoids and microfluidic systemsD1_1.

The project aims to:
  • Identify early and reliable biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis
  • Improve the clinical relevance and standardization of in vitro disease models
  • Enable multi-omic data integration to understand disease mechanisms more deeply
  • Support the development of predictive models for stratifying patients and guiding therapies
THEOREO Srl is the sole beneficiary and scientific lead of the project and contributes its expertise in:
  • Designing and executing advanced metabolomic pipelines (untargeted and targeted LC–MS/MS, GC–MS);
  • Developing custom computational tools like MetaboPredict™ for biomarker discovery;
  • Ensuring regulatory alignment with MDR, GDPR, and the upcoming AI Act;
  • Building a scalable, interoperable infrastructure for data analysis and model development.

Through its leadership, THEOREO ensures that AMBIOM not only generates high-quality omics data, but also translates it into clinically actionable insights, setting a national benchmark for multi-omic biomedical innovation.
  • Ensure data quality, reproducibility, and interoperability, following FAIR and MSI principles.
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Academic and Research Agreements
Over the years, we’ve built strong partnerships with leading universities and research institutions, allowing us to work closely with top experts and access advanced resources across our fields of interest.
More about our partners