Study results that illustrate the high potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for a range of diseases will be presented during the 42nd European Human Genetics Conference in Sweden.
Clinical institutions have investigated potential biomarkers for serious diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular and infections.
The Biomarker Discovery Center in Heidelberg provides research institutions with the opportunity to identify candidates for novel genome and transcriptome biomarkers using dedicated biochips and next-generation sequencing.
Results from miRNA biomarkers will be presented in oral and poster presentations at the conference, including new data for lung cancer, ovarian cancer and multiple sclerosis.
Presenters include J Hoheisel PhD, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany; A El Sharawy PhD, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany; A Keller PhD, BDC, Heidelberg, Germany; P Staehler, Febit, Heidelberg, Germany; and J Wischhusen PhD, gynaecological clinic, University of Wuerzburg, Germany.
Febit performs the technical analysis and bioinformatics and supports researchers conducting large-scale studies that include hundreds of patient samples so that they can achieve statistically meaningful results.
Staehler, chief science officer at Febit, said: 'Taking a novel methodological approach, Febit analyses miRNA patterns in easily accessible blood samples instead of organ tissues or biopsy samples.
'Therefore results can be translated much more readily into tests for routine use.
'The comparison of specific miRNA sets, for example from cancer patients versus healthy individuals, reveals significant changes in the regulation of miRNAs.
'These modified miRNA patterns form an individual fingerprint for each disease,' he added.
The small non-protein-coding miRNAs are a major focus of the work done by the BDC research association and are supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Febit's miRNA assays yield convincing results that may ultimately enter routine diagnostics to replace established, but less reliable, markers.
