Understanding biomarkers

Biomarkers are natural products that can be traced to a particular biological origin. They are measurable indicators of a specific biological state, particularly one relevant to the risk of the contraction, presence, or the stage of disease.

A biomarker is a detectable change in a biological system that conveys information about disease state, susceptibility or exposure. Biomarkers can be used to measure the progress of disease or the effects of treatment.

Proteomics & biomarkers

Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions. The proteome differs from cell to cell and is constantly changing through its interactions with the genome and the environment.

Proteins serve a vital function in the body, as they are the main components of the physiological pathways of the cells. An organism has radically different protein expression in different parts of its body, in different stages of its life cycle and in different environmental conditions.

The proteome refers to all proteins produced by an organism. The human body contains more than 100,000 different proteins, each having different functions. Understanding the proteome, the structure and function of each protein, and the complexities of protein-protein interactions is critical to developing the most effective diagnostic techniques and disease treatments in the future.

Proteomics uses specific protein biomarkers to diagnose disease. As certains diseases progress, particular proteins are produced. A number of techniques can be used to test for these proteins in order to diagnose these diseases quickly.