LEXINGTON, Mass. (USA), and HEIDELBERG, Germany, June 7, 2010 – The latest study results that illustrate the high potential of microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for a broad range of diseases will be presented during the 42nd European Human Genetics Conference (ESHG) held June 12-15, 2010, in Goteborg, Sweden.
Renowned clinical institutions have investigated potential biomarkers for serious diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular and infections. The Biomarker Discovery Center (BDC) 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 ESHG, including new data for lung cancer, ovarian cancer and multiple sclerosis. Presenters include J. Hoheisel, Ph.D., DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany, A. El Sharawy, Ph.D., University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany, A. Keller, Ph.D.,BDC, Heidelberg, Germany, P. Staehler, febit gmbh, Heidelberg, Germany, and. J. Wischhusen, Ph.D., Gynecological 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. “Taking a novel methodological approach, febit analyzes 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,” said Peer Staehler, CSO of febit. “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."
The small non-protein-coding miRNAs are a major focus of the work done by the BDC research association and are supported by the BMBF (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.
For more information please visit www.febit.com or booth B528 at the ESHG Annual Conference 2010.
About febit
febit is a specialist in the development and distribution of high-performance solutions for genomic and transcriptomic research. febit´s proprietary technology and bioinformatics offer a high degree of flexibility and automation, allowing febit’s service customers to benefit of high sensitivity and reproducibility even in completely new research areas.
Particularly for miRNA and mRNA analysis, febit provides fast and efficient services at reasonable costs. These include the discovery of novel RNAs as well as functional analysis of complete transcriptomes with targeted enrichment of interesting gene sections for sequencing or RNA microarrays. Biomarker analysis is now feasible in comparative studies with large patient cohorts that yield statistically meaningful results delivered in comprehensive bioinformatics reports for rapid publication.
