Biomarkers

 “Your body will be around a lot more than an expensive handbag. Invest in yourself”- Anonymous

Advanced technology has been a boon to human mankind but it has also proved to be a curse. Technology has led to changed lifestyle which in turn has caused the tremendous evolution of the chronic diseases and thus the burden on the human mankind. Worldwide, large population suffers from one or the other disease, thus, having unhealthy body. Wellness is a state of physical, emotional, sexual and cognitive health wherein the body is in a state of balance. It can be measured by estimating the expression levels of various biomarkers that are pre-requisite for a healthy lifestyle. Any offset of these biomarkers can lead to unhealthy state of the body.

Biomarkers are defined as biological molecules which are found in body fluids such as blood, urine, CSF or tissues and are indicative of a normal or an abnormal process in the body. They are often used to predict well-being of the body and how well the body responds to a treatment for a disease or condition. Biomarkers can be specific cells, molecules, or genes, gene products, enzymes, or hormones. Since many years, biomarkers have been used in pre-clinical research and clinical diagnosis. Some examples include body temperature for fever, blood pressure for risk of stroke, cholesterol levels for coronary and vascular disease, C-reactive protein (CRP) for inflammation and P53 gene and MMPs as tumor markers for cancer. Biomarkers are also known to play an important role in medicinal biology. They help in early diagnosis, disease prevention, drug target identification, drug response and also in deciding therapeutic regime. The "classic" biomarker in medicine is defined as a laboratory parameter that the doctor can use to help make decisions in making a diagnosis and selecting a course of treatment.

Based on the application of Biomarkers, they can be categorised as:

ü  Predictive (early detection based on early stages of symptoms)

ü  Prognostic (disease management based on symptoms)

ü  Diagnostic (presence or absence of a given disease)

Dabur Research Foundation (DRF) with the help of extensive panels for Biomarker estimation in different sample types tries to bring to the clinicians additional information to guide their subjects for enhanced & sustained wellness. Various wellness packages available at DRF are:

ü  Basic Wellness Package- 14 Biomarkers

ü  Advance Wellness Package- 28 Biomarkers

ü  Brain Health Package- 6 Biomarkers

ü  Liver Health Package- 3 Biomarkers

ü  Kidney Health Package- 5 Biomarkers

ü  Bone Health Package- 3 Biomarkers

ü  Inflammation Package- 4 Biomarkers

ü  Heart Health/CVS package- 7 Biomarkers

ü  Metabolic Disorders Package- 10 Biomarkers

In addition, DRF has the ability to cater to the specific requirements of end user by customization of the panels.

At DRF, biomarker estimation using Multiplex platforms is built by robust and well known Luminex xMAP technology. The Luminex Magpix™ (multi-analyte profiling) technology enables estimation of levels of multiple biomarkers (upto 50) relevant in various conditions, using just one drop of your blood. We can simultaneously detect different analytes offering significant cost saving and increased amount of information with limited sample adding value to early discovery research.

xMAP technology is, designed to simultaneously detect and quantitate multiple secreted proteins (e.g., cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors) or expressed genes. The high-throughput technology produces results comparable to conventional assays such as ELISA and qPCR with greater efficiency and throughput. Luminex xMAP (Multi-Analyte Profiling) technology enables scientists to measure multiple proteins in a single well. It combines advanced fluidics, optics, and digital signal processing with innovated microsphere technology to deliver multiplexed assay capabilities.

Multiplex platform offers multiple advantages over the conventional methods such as:

ü  Rapid and accurate detection and quantitation of multiple secreted proteins.

ü  The detection limit of analytes is in picograms/ milliliter (pg/ml) range.

ü  Measurement of up to 50 analytes in a single microplate well

ü  A cutting-edge technology that provides highly sensitive and robust estimation of biomarkers.

Now, after knowing in detail about the biomarkers, big question arises that When do we need to get the analysis done, Who needs it and Why?

ü  When: It is prescribed by doctors after the first meeting with patients and it is to be monitored periodically thereafter during the course of treatment to track the performance.

ü  Who: This section is of utmost importance and worrisome. Patients/ Subjects having following conditions should target getting Biomarker analysis done:

-        Family history of lifestyle diseases

-        The Cardiometabolic disease

-        Intent to receive personalised wellness

-        Sports enthusiast

-        Subjects in recovery from state of illnesses

ü  Why - The conventional biochemical diagnostics are necessary and useful to identify the presence of specific disease conditions. However, there is an unmet need for serum biomarkers that reflect the overall health and wellness status and provide a picture of what’s going on inside our bodies. This information will be highly relevant in designing therapies and advising changes in life styles for betterment of health. Based on this information, clinician may advise further investigations, treatment or lifestyle interventions.

To summarize, DRF offers you an End-to-End solution by being your wellness partner.