Biomarker Discovery and Omics Research

 Improving the Human Condition

The goal of biomarker research is to identify genes, proteins, lipids and metabolites that have diagnostic or prognostic value in managing human disease. Biomarker discovery is facilitated by omics research, which promises to uncover relevant biomarkers even in the absence of detailed insight into disease mechanisms. Analyzing omics data gives researchers the power to study not only individual biomarkers but also patterns of protein, lipid and metabolite expression associated with disease stage and outcome. Ultimately, biomarkers discovered and validated through omics research may help:

• Identify patients at risk for disease
• Facilitate prevention and early detection
• Allow timely management of disease
• Screen the effectiveness of new drug therapies
• Monitor progression and response to treatment

AB SCIEX is a global leader in developing mass spectrometry tools for omics research and biomarker discovery. Our instrumentation, software, reagents, and workflows allow you to dig deeper into complex biological systems, analyze prospective biomarkers and deliver results with potential use in clinical applications.

Successful biomarker research begins with the right tools:

• AB SCIEX TOF/TOF^TM 5800 systems combine high-sensitivity and ultimate flexibility with MALDI ease of use.
• AB SCIEX TripleTOF® 5600 systems deliver uncompromising speed, sensitivity and resolution.
• AB SCIEX QTRAP^® 5500 LC/MS/MS systems identify, characterize and quantitate metabolites quickly and easily using the world's most sensitive triple quadrupole with its innovative Linear Accelerator^TM trap technology.

These mass spectrometry solutions are used in a wide variety of applications in omics research and biomarker discovery:

• Lipidomics-to characterize lipids at the molecular level to better understand their role in disease and metabolic processes
• Metabolomics-to characterize small molecule chemical species and observe how they are affected by drugs, environmental chemicals, foods and beverages
• Protein identification-to characterize low abundance proteins for protein biomarker research and improved understanding of their structural, catalytic and signaling functions
• Targeted protein & peptide quantitation-to detect and measure hundreds of proteins at high sensitivity simultaneously
• Tissue Imaging-to visualize the spatial distribution of drugs, metabolites, lipids and proteins directly on the surface of a tissue section
• Protein & peptide analysis-to overcome the limitations inherent in immunoassays by using high-sensitivity, high-specificity, reproducible mass spectrometry to analyze proteins and peptides

The ability to discover biomarkers and better understand diseases at the molecular level through biomarker and omics research will ultimately improve drug discovery and help create more effective treatments.