Heart Disease Specialists Meet Spanish Footballers To Develop Tools For Detecting Sudden Death Syndrome

Main Category: Heart Disease
Also Included In: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 17 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Leading cardiovascular research scientists and a number of prominent football figures from Spain recently convened at the world's first symposium focused on the molecular analysis of sudden death in football players. The I Symposium de Prevención en el Futbol was held at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid, where scientists were brought together to initiate the development of new tests for identifying sports players at risk of sudden death. Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI) was the sponsor for this event.

Sudden death syndrome is most common in men under the age of 40 and generally causes immediate cardiac arrest during strenuous exercise. Reports of unexpected deaths of young men participating in marathons, cycling races and football matches are not unusual. For example, in August of last year, Antonio Puerta, a 22-year-old midfielder for Sevilla, the world-famous Spanish football team, suffered a sudden heart attack on the pitch during a match against Getafe and died three days later.

Sudden death can be caused by a variety of diseases or genetic factors. Genetic causes usually have no symptoms, so professional athletes at risk of the syndrome can appear to be in peak physical condition during routine medical and fitness checks. The cardiovascular disease tests that are currently available are usually insufficient to detect an individual at risk of sudden death, and only a genetic test will provide the required accuracy and reliability.

Developing a new test for predicting sudden death was one of the main objectives of the Madrid symposium, which included a roundtable discussion about methods for identifying specific molecular or genetic changes in people who are at risk. These biological markers - also known as biomarkers - could be used to develop a test panel for screening football players or other sportsmen to identify their risk of sudden death. There are several known genetic causes of sudden adult death, including abnormalities of the heart muscles, and malfunctioning of ion channels. Ion channels are vital cellular structures through which ions, such as calcium, potassium or sodium, pass in or out during the heart's normal functioning. Malfunctions of these channels can result in cardiac arrest. Several ion channel abnormalities have been identified that are known to increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, including long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome.

Dr. Antonio López-Farré, a cardiovascular research scientist at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos, is one of the researchers who presented their work at the symposium. He has already started to analyze biomarkers linked to the genetic abnormalities that could cause sudden death, using Applied Biosystems' advanced mass spectrometry and genetic analysis technologies. Applied Biosystems is a global leader in the development and commercialization of instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services for the life science market. Dr. López-Farré's workflow includes an Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies MALDI TOF/TOF™ proteomics analyzer for the identification and quantitation of novel putative biomarkers of sudden death syndrome. This new research is at the early stages; however, the approach is derived from a previously published study, in which the researchers successfully used the MALDI TOF/TOF to identify new biomarkers of aspirin-resistant coronary ischaemia patients1.

"The identification of biomarkers for sudden death could potentially result in the development of routine tests for sports players that could save the lives of many young people," said Dr López-Farré. "The Applied Biosystems proteomics and genomics technologies play a vital role in our research, providing the specificity and reliability that we need to be confident in our results."

Dr. López-Farré has also begun routine testing of footballers from Spanish teams in the first and lower divisions for signs of genetic changes that can lead to sudden death syndrome. He is using several genetic analysis technologies from Applied Biosystems for this research project, including a Genetic Analyzer, GeneAmp PCR System, as well as TaqMan® Low Density Arrays for detecting genetic changes in the DNA of relatives of sudden death victims. This project is expected to extend across a number of other Spanish football and basketball clubs. Eventually, the 14 cardiovascular researchers involved in this research aim to develop diagnostic tools for sudden death that will be used in sports and athletics associations throughout Europe.

"We urgently need safe and reliable tools for diagnosing young people worldwide who may be at risk of sudden cardiac arrest," said Dave Hicks, senior director for Applied Biosystems' biomarker and proteomics business. "Applied Biosystems is playing a leading role in raising awareness of this need, and assisting this team of researchers in achieving their goals."

For more information, please visit: http://www.appliedbiosystems.com

Reference

1. López-Farré AJ et al. (2007) Journal of Proteome Research 6: 2481-2487

About Applied Biosystems Inc.

Applied Biosystems Inc. (formerly known as Applera Corporation) is a global leader in the development and marketing of instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services for academic research, the life science industry and commercial markets. Driven by its employees' belief in the power of science to improve the human condition, the company commercializes innovative technology solutions for DNA, RNA, protein and small molecule analysis. Customers across the disciplines of academic and clinical research, pharmaceutical research and manufacturing, forensic DNA analysis, and agricultural biotechnology use the company's tools and services to accelerate scientific discovery, improve processes related to drug discovery and development, detect potentially pathogenic microorganisms, and identify individuals based on DNA sources. Applied Biosystems has a comprehensive service and field applications support team for a global installed base of high-performance genetic and protein analysis solutions. On June 12, 2008, Applera Corporation and Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ: IVGN) announced that their Boards of Directors had approved a definitive merger agreement under which Invitrogen will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Applied Biosystems stock. The merger is subject to customary closing conditions and is targeted to close in the fall of 2008. Further information regarding the merger will be provided in a joint proxy statement/prospectus to be mailed to stockholders of the company and Invitrogen. Investors and security holders are urged to read this document when it becomes available because it will contain important information. Applied Biosystems Inc. is headquartered in Norwalk, CT, and reported sales of approximately $2.1 billion during fiscal 2007. Information about Applied Biosystems, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at http://www.appliedbiosystems.com. All information in this news release is as of the date of the release, and Applied Biosystems does not undertake any duty to update this information unless required by law.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

©Copyright 2008. Applied Biosystems. All rights reserved. Applied Biosystems, and AB (Design) are registered trademarks and MALDI TOF/FOF is a trademark of Applied Biosystems or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. The PCR process and 5' nuclease process are covered by patent owned by Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. and F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd, and by patents owned or licensed to Applied Biosystems Inc. Further information on purchasing licenses may be obtained from the Director of Licensing, Applied Biosystems, 850 Lincoln Centre Drive, Foster City, California 94404, USA. TaqMan is a registered trademark of Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.

Applied Biosystems Inc.