Biomarker News and Research

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A biomarker is a biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. A biomarker may be used to see how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Also called molecular marker and signature molecule.

Implantable artificial salivary gland to be developed for Xerostomia patients

The goal of this research was to create an ECM modified hyaluronic acid (HA) based hydrogel culture system that allows for the growth and differentiation of salivary acinar cells into functional acini-like structures capable of secreting large amounts of protein and fluid unidirectionally. Xerostomia, a condition resulting from irradiation of the head and neck, affects more than 40,000 cancer patients each year in the United States. According to this research, these patients will greatly benefit from the development of a functional implantable artificial salivary gland.

15 Jul 2010

NanoString Technologies increases throughput of nCounter Analysis System

NanoString Technologies, Inc., a privately held life sciences company marketing a novel digital molecular barcoding technology for detecting and counting large sets of targets in biological samples, today announced that it has increased the throughput of its nCounter Analysis System by expanding its multiplexing capacity to 800 gene transcripts per reaction.

From NanoString Technologies 15 Jul 2010

Keck School of Medicine receives grant for research on biomarker impact on breast cancer screening

Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) will test whether a set of blood-based biomarkers can assist mammography in the early detection of breast cancer with a $180,000 grant announced today from Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. The grant will fund research into whether specific biomarkers, or minute substances in the blood, can effectively distinguish breast cancer patients from their healthy counterparts and whether an inexpensive, less invasive screening strategy can be developed based on this approach.

15 Jul 2010

Children with highest levels of FeNO more likely to develop asthma: Study

Children with elevated levels of exhaled nitric oxide are at increased risk for developing asthma, particularly among children without a parental history of the disease, a study by US researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) has found. The study is published ahead of print in the European Respiratory Journal.

15 Jul 2010

Research provides understanding of EGME's effects on metabolism

Metabolon, Inc., the leader in global metabolism, biomarker discovery and analysis, announces the publication of "Ethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether-Induced Toxicity is Mediated through the Inhibition of Flavoprotein Dehydrogenase Enzyme Family", in the journal Toxicological Sciences on July 8, 2010. The paper was co-authored by Dr. Makoto Takei and colleagues at Daiichi-Sankyo in collaboration with Metabolon scientists.

14 Jul 2010

New research studies presented at Alzheimer's Association International Conference

The primary therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease has been the beta amyloid peptide, which clusters outside cells in the brain to form sticky clumps known as plaques. Recently, more attention has been given to the tau protein, which aggregates inside the brain cells of people with Alzheimer's, forming neurofibrillary tangles. Precisely how these proteins interact in causing the disease is unclear.

14 Jul 2010

CWRU researchers discover biomarker for early warning of oral cancer

Detecting oral cancer in its earliest stages can save the lives of the nearly 40,500 people diagnosed annually. But early detection has been difficult.

14 Jul 2010

New research shows Alzheimer's disease may increase risk of other potentially disabling health conditions

Having Alzheimer's disease may increase the risk of getting other potentially disabling health conditions, including seizures and anemia, according to new research presented today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010 in Honolulu, HI.

14 Jul 2010

BioImage Study published in American Heart Journal

BG Medicine, Inc., a U.S.-based biomarker discovery and in vitro diagnostics company, announced today the publication of The BioImage Study trial design and key objectives in the American Heart Journal. The American Heart Journal is a peer- reviewed journal that publishes original research and review articles on clinical research studies in the field of cardiology.

13 Jul 2010

Ophthalmology professor receives $60,000 RPB award to research Sjogren's syndrome

Hui Shao, MD, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, has received a $60,000 Lew R. Wasserman Merit Award from the Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) organization. The grant will help fund Shao's research of Sjogren's syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disease that targets the salivary and lacrimal glands - the glands that produce saliva and tears, respectively - resulting in dry mouth and dry eye symptoms.

13 Jul 2010

Roche obtains global co-exclusive license for PI3K biomarker from QIAGEN

Roche announced today that the company has obtained a worldwide co-exclusive license for the biomarker PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) from QIAGEN to develop real-time and endpoint PCR diagnostic assays. Johns Hopkins University owns the patent for the PI3K biomarker and has previously granted an exclusive license to QIAGEN's wholly owned subsidiary DxS, now QIAGEN Manchester.

From QIAGEN Manchester Limited 13 Jul 2010

New study on impact of bortezomib on mantle cell lymphoma

A new study by researchers from the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center sheds light on how bortezomib (VELCADE-), the first in a new class of cancer drugs known as proteasome inhibitors, works in mantle cell lymphoma. The study also provides preliminary evidence for which patients might benefit most from bortezomib.

13 Jul 2010

New methods may help identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease: Study

Abnormal brain images combined with examination of the composition of the fluid that surrounds the spine may offer the earliest signs identifying healthy older adults at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, well before cognitive problems emerge, a study by researchers at UC Davis has found.

12 Jul 2010

Alzheimer's Association recognizes four scientists for achievements in Alzheimer research at AAICAD 2010

The Alzheimer's Association recognized four scientists for their extraordinary achievements in advancing Alzheimer research at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

12 Jul 2010

Early knowledge of HCC response to TACE determines treatment success: Research article

Early knowledge of hepatocellular carcinoma response to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization is crucial for determining treatment success, timing of repeat treatment, and patient prognosis. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging is used 1-3 mo after treatment to evaluate anatomical tumor response, based upon changes in tumor size and contrast-agent enhancement. Alternatively, diffusion-weighted imaging can be used as a functional imaging technique to depict thermally induced motion of water molecules.

9 Jul 2010

WaferGen Biosystems announces closing of $7.2M registered direct offering

WaferGen Biosystems, Inc., a leading developer of state-of-the-art genomic analysis systems, today announced the closing of a $7.2 million registered direct offering. The amount raised includes $1 million from the Chairman and CEO, Alnoor Shivji, and approximately $500,000 in the aggregate from four other members of the board of directors of WaferGen.

9 Jul 2010

Biomagnetics, LANL collaborate to develop device for tuberculosis diagnosis

Biomagnetics Diagnostics Corp., a developer of revolutionary technology for diagnostic systems for HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis and malaria detection, today announced the signing of an agreement with Los Alamos National Security, LLC where Los Alamos National Laboratory's scientific and engineering staffs will attempt to identify new potential human tuberculosis biomarkers and will develop a validated assay to detect human tuberculosis using a currently known biomarker to be used in combination with the waveguide-based optical biosensor platform.

9 Jul 2010

Optics Express publishes special focus issue on lung cancer imaging research

Advanced imaging technologies that promise to improve the development of effective drugs to treat lung cancer are the focus of the current special issue of Optics Express, an open-access journal published by the Optical Society (OSA). Research featured in the special focus issue on Imaging in Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer outlines standardized approaches to measure and compare tumor size, as well as to validate the accuracy of such measurements under defined settings.

8 Jul 2010

Aethlon Medical files provisional patent on behalf of ESI for exosome detection assay

Aethlon Medical, Inc., the pioneer in developing therapeutic filtration devices to address infectious disease and cancer, announced today that it has filed a provisional patent on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary Exosome Sciences, Inc. (ESI), relating to the development of an assay that will allow researchers to detect exosomes in blood and other fluids.

8 Jul 2010

MJFF announces $1.1M for projects to develop biomarker candidates for PD

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research today announced nearly $1.1 million for projects aimed at advancing the development of leading biomarker candidates for Parkinson's disease. The discovery and validation of biomarkers is of critical importance to increasing the speed and efficiency of PD therapeutic development, allowing scientists and clinicians to more accurately identify appropriate subjects for clinical studies, measure disease progression and monitor treatment effects in clinical trials.

7 Jul 2010