SOURCE: Proteomics International
Findings Announced at the Human Proteome Organisation’s World Congress in Sydney, Australia
PERTH, AUSTRALIA–(Marketwire – September 29, 2010) – After three years of collaborative research involving patients from The Busselton Health Study, drug discovery company Proteomics International announced the identification and analytical validation of 13 protein biomarkers for a significant complication of diabetes — diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease). In a presentation at the Human Proteome Organisation’s World Congress in Sydney, Australia, Dr. Richard Lipscombe, Managing Director of Proteomics International, revealed the findings that could benefit many of the 250 million people worldwide who have diabetes.
“Applying our uniquely accredited proteomics biomarker expertise to patient samples (plasma) from the Busselton Health Study and the Fremantle Diabetes Study allowed us to analyze three well characterized clinical cohorts of selected disease groups (adults who had Type II diabetes and diabetic nephropathy),” said Dr. Lipscombe. “The protein biomarkers that we found could now allow for the prediction of those patients who would progress to the development of kidney disease and provide new targets for drug therapies that prevent the onset of this serious complication.“
Proteomics International is actively seeking partners to further qualify and commercialize its patented diabetes biomarker portfolio.
The protein biomarker discovery and validation approach included the analysis of pooled plasma samples for differential protein expression, i.e. proteins that are found at different levels in the diabetic disease state relative to the normal diabetic state. Candidate biomarkers were identified from iTRAQ labelled samples by 2D-LC MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometry, an emerging technique in proteomics. This discovery phase identified 130-200 proteins per cohort and across all studies over 50 proteins showed significant differences in concentrations. Biomarker candidates were validated in a second approach using the advanced mass spectrometry technique Selected or Multiple Reaction Monitoring (SRM/MRM) to carry out concentration analysis on individual patient plasma samples. Statistical data analysis of the validation phase identified 13 putative protein biomarkers for diabetic nephropathy across the studies, including proteins involved in metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress. The complexity of the diabetic kidney disease suggests that there would not necessarily be one biomarker but a set of biomarkers (signature) in varying degrees to characterize the diabetic nephropathy state. These biomarkers can be used as diagnostic tools or new drug targets.
About Proteomics International Pty Ltd
Proteomics International is both a drug discovery company and contract research service provider. Proteomics International combines the most advanced high throughput mass spectrometry instrumentation (MALDI TOF-TOF and LC-MS/MS) and a team of qualified scientists with proven expertise in protein and peptide chemistry. Proteomics International is the only company globally to achieve laboratory accreditation to International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for provision of proteomics services. The accreditation is a widely used benchmark for US Federal testing facilities and strengthens the company’s licensing position to deliver drug development data that is of the highest scientific integrity. The company has two focal research activities: new peptide drugs from venoms, and the discovery and use of biomarkers; both analyses build upon its proprietary transformative Bioven process.