George Mason University Researchers Partner To Discover Novel Biomarkers For Exposure To Infectious Diseases

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 18 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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

Researchers at George Mason University's National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases and its Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine are merging their expertise in host-pathogen biology, proteomics and nanotechnology to discover tissue and bloodborne markers that could be used for the early detection of exposure to infectious diseases.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, these efforts may help save the lives of civilians and military forces exposed to biological weapons or other emerging infectious diseases, such as influenza and SARS.

"This collaboration illustrates how proteomic technologies combined with unique nanotechnology methodology can be used to better understand, diagnose and treat infectious diseases," says Charles Bailey, NCBID executive director.

A major goal of the program, which initially focuses on anthrax and tularemia, is to discover protein biomarkers that could be used to identify the onset of an infectious disease before a patient exhibits symptoms, explains Bailey. "A pre-symptomatic diagnosis of these often fatal diseases enables physicians to begin immediate lifesaving treatment for the patient. The earlier, the better."

Using cutting-edge proteomic technologies and nanotechnology-based devices invented by CAPMM scientists, the research will concentrate on the discovery, collection and analysis of potential infectious diseases biomarkers found in the blood. Comparing the differences between pre- and post-symptomatic biomarkers may result in early detection of biological agent exposure and disease onset, and immediate monitoring of patient response to medical intervention.

"We have developed new classes of biomarker discovery technologies that combine high resolution mass spectrometry and nanoparticles," says Lance Liotta, CAPMM co-director. "The investment that the university made in personnel and equipment to establish our two centers is paying dividends, and now we can leverage this investment to find specific bloodborne markers of early infection by some very nasty bugs."

Findings also may help determine if military personnel have been successfully immunized against infectious diseases before they enter an area that poses the threat of exposure to biological agents, and aid in drug discovery for certain geographic strains of diseases that are drug resistant.

"As a microbiologist by training, I'm very excited to bring the one-of-a-kind proteomic technologies and nanotechnologies we have developed for biomarker discovery for cancer and other diseases to infectious diseases applications," says CAPMM co-director Emanuel Petricoin III. "The ability to synergize the expertise of these two centers is a great opportunity and illustrates the powerhouse research that is going on now at Mason."

This research also impacts Mason's long-range plans to be a major player in biodefense and infectious diseases research, Bailey adds.

"Once our Biomedical Research Laboratory opens in late 2009, we'll have the highly specialized facility and equipment needed for next-level research utilizing animal studies," he says. "Preliminary data obtained from our current work may lead to additional funding opportunities or collaborative work with other laboratories."

http://www.gmu.edu