INDIVUMED's Research Laboratories utilize its biobank and clinical infrastructure for the discovery of biomarkers
- for internal biomarker development
- together with diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies within research agreements (e.g., development of predictive markers for targeted therapy).
The research program (internal and collaborative research agreements) includes development of biomarkers for
- Early detection of cancer and pre-stages (e.g. adenomas)
- Monitoring of disease (tumor progression)
- Prediction of therapeutic response.
INDIVUMED takes advantage of its standardized, high quality biospecimen collection (tumor and normal tissues, serum and plasma samples) that is matched to comprehensive clinical data. Because INDIVUMED's biobank and hospital network covers all major tumor entities, screening of different cancer types can be performed instantly . In addition, INDIVUMED's hospital network allows rapid evaluation and validation of experimental findings in a clinical study. Thus, INDIVUMED has unique resources for rapidly identifying and validating new protein based diagnostics.
INDIVUMED has focused on the discovery of protein markers and, thus, has established a proteomic platform for discovery (mass-spectroscopy screening), protein identification and development of antibody based assay systems.
The INDIVUMED platform has the following capabilities:
- Based on its comprehensive data base, which includes longitudinal data and high quality biospecimens, INDIVUMED is able to plan and execute targeted biomarker studies with well defined patient groups. The sample collection process is highly standardized and the data base, indivuNET, includes all clinical data behind each individual case and protein data point.
- Protein extracts are prepared from tissue sources or body fluids (serum, plasma), fractionated and analyzed by mass-spectrometry.
- Depending on the study objectives, proteins are extracted from tissue sources directly or after separation of cell-subtypes (e.g. tumor epithelium vs. normal stroma) by laser capture micro dissection using P.A.L.M. Microlaser Technologies GmbH's LMPC technology.
- The ability to analyze cultivated primary cells provides additional opportunities for development of predictive markers.
- Identification of proteins (e.g., MALDI-TOF/TOF)
- Development of antibody-based assay systems (e.g., ELISA)
The combination of well defined high-quality biospecimens, comprehensive clinical data, and state of the art proteomics technologies facilitates the rapid and reliable identification of cancer biomarkers. This provides a sound basis to develop antibody-based analytical test systems.
©2007 INDIVUMED GmbH
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