BioMarker’s diagnostic development program arises out of our amassment of data relating to biomarkers of aging, derived from our animal models of extended lifespan. From this, we are developing a system for personalized health maintenance diagnosis, and for the assessment of individual risks relating to age-related diseases.
Our diagnostic services begin with the monitoring and evaluation of the expression levels of select genes and extracellular circulatory proteins in an individual. By correlating these individual findings with our databases, we can provide individuals with two types of valuable service: First, we can analyze genetic and proteomic profiles in comparison to functional biomarkers of aging suggested by calorie restriction and other age-defying interventions, and provide for a detailed assessment of personal health and well-being. Second, we can analyze genetic and proteomic expression changes – especially in comparison to our biomarkers of aging – to monitor the impact of (or predict the effect of) personal interventions (whether those interventions are nutraceutical agents, pharmaceutical agents, or lifestyle modifications), and provide for personalized feedback to optimize individual health.
Personalizing Health and Risk Assessment
There are no two identical individuals. Genomic differences and environmental factors define our individualities. Among other things, our health, well-being and response to physical and chemicals factors of the environment are defined by the ways our cells work – not just the type, or allele, of individual genes we are carrying, but by levels of expression of the totality of genes in a given tissue or organ. On the systemic level, our tissues and organs communicate via proteins they secrete into the bloodstream, regulating functions as complex as the differentiation of the red blood cells (erythropoietin) and the level of glucose in blood (insulin). At BioMarker, we are investigating levels of transcription of select genes expressed in the blood, as well as levels of select proteins secreted in blood. This provides us the benefit of a large data set from which to make comparison to our database-derived biomarkers; while simultaneously providing a fast and minimally invasive system for the collection of data from individuals, which will allow us to provide flexible, real-time assessment and monitoring services.
Genomics
Using microarray gene chip technology, we can measure the levels of activity of all genes in a given type of cell. In diagnostic development, we focus on measurement of leukocytes, or white blood cells. These cells express many gene sets that have been shown to be differentially regulated in age-defying interventions such as calorie restriction, including genes relating especially to immune defense and to the regulation of processes such as inflammation.
Proteomics
As noted above, tissues and organs communicate primarily by expressing signaling proteins and exporting them through the bloodstream. Indeed, measuring the presence or the level of individual proteins in the blood is commonly used in medical diagnostic practice. At BioMarker, we apply time-of-flight protein chip mass spectrometry to characterize the presence and levels of the totality of proteins in the bloodstream. We can then correlate the levels of select proteins to our own database of genetic biomarkers of aging. This allows us an opportunity to perform the broadest possible biomarker analysis with the least invasive process.
Products
BioMarker intends to offer evaluation service products based on individual genomic and proteomic testing, including:
Individual profile assessments – providing an individual comparison to demonstrated biomarkers of aging; and
Intervention assessment, monitoring and prediction – providing real-time feedback of individual responses to interventions, again in comparison to demonstrated biomarkers of aging.
These service products are expected to be available in the near future, pending our continued evaluation and validation. As development concludes, we will publish updated product descriptions on our Product pages.
BioMarker's unique approach is protected by several patents, issued and pending, including the first issued U.S. patent in the field: Interventions to mimic the effects of calorie restriction, US Patent 6,406,853, June 18, 2002.
