Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital will use mass spectrometry to discover protein markers of cardiac disease at new biomarker facility
Thermo Electron announces the launch of a new initiative for protein biomarker discovery and development.
Known as the Biomarker Research Initiatives in Mass Spectrometry (Brims) centre, this joint collaboration with investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital will focus on the development of mass spectrometry-based technologies dedicated to the discovery of protein biomarkers.
Massachusetts General Hospital will provide both basic science and clinical expertise in this effort to identify biomarkers for multiple aspects of cardiovascular disease.
Thermo Electron will provide a team of personnel with scientific expertise in biological mass spectrometry, protein techniques and informatics.
The company will also provide state-of-the-art mass spectrometers and other laboratory instrumentation, software and services, along with a facility to house the research in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
"One of the most exciting areas of proteomic research is the identification and validation of disease biomarkers which can be used as measurements within clinical studies and for the purpose of predictive diagnosis," explained Marc Casper, president of Thermo's life and laboratory sciences segment.
"The study of proteomics is considered by both scientists and physicians to be key for the characterisation of human diseases and disease states, and mass spectrometry technology plays a crucial role in this disease research.
"Both Mass General and Thermo anticipate that the Brims centre will contribute greatly to this important research initiative".
In addition to conducting research and system development, the new centre will host symposia and forums for the biomarker research community within the new facility, which includes both laboratory space and conference facilities.
A formal open house will be held later in the year.
Preliminary data from this new collaboration were presented during the Human Proteome Organisation (Hupo) annual world congress in Beijing, 25-28 October 2004.
The Brims centre will be responsible for the development of methodologies and applications aimed at the identification of protein biomarkers.
The biomarker research team will also focus on the development of informatics-based tools for quantitative differential expression analysis and high-throughput solutions for warehousing large datasets.
Mass General will also contribute biostatistics for experimental design and assistance in the validation of the total methodology.
The biomarker research and discovery process at the Brims centre will include several different high-performance mass spectrometry platforms from Thermo Electron, including the Finnigan LTQ FT mass spectrometer, the Finnigan LTQ linear ion trap, and the Finnigan TSQ Quantum triple stage quadrupole.
"This initiative represents a crucial next step in the field of biomarker discovery - from developing and commercialising the most advanced technology platforms to using these platforms to contribute to the process of characterising a specific human disease state," said Casper.
