Methods and Protein Biomarkers Predictive of Toxic Exposure, Health Status and Disease
The present work describes a list of novel and specific biomarker targets and a novel data analysis strategy for determining current health status, the occurrence of past exposures to toxic chemicals, and associated adverse health outcomes. Biomarkers are specific physiological, biochemical and biological parameters to establish, quantify or predict genetic dispositions, environmental stresses and their effects on health status and/or development of specific diseases. Biomarkers have been proposed as being important for the early (pre-clinical) diagnosis of a wide range of diseases, including diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, various types of cancer and genetic disorders. Data presented are for human newborns, whose blood serum was analyzed to identify biomarkers of exposure and disease in two cohorts (case and control) of babies differing in their in utero exposure to components of cigarette smoke. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of a large number of toxic substances, carcinogens, and mutagens, and can serve as a surrogate for various environmental exposures to carcinogens and mixtures of environmental toxins. This technology detects toxic exposure and extent of exposure (e.g., in emergencies, fires, involuntary confinement and accidental exposure to toxic agents). It also provides general assessment of neonatal health and wellness immediately following birth. Key benefits include the low-cost immunological assays for biomarkers of exposure and disease and the easy access to umbilical cord blood serum.Inventor(s): Halden, Rolf
Type of Offer: Licensing
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