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AgeVenture News Service, August 10, 2004 
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Metabolon, a bio-tech research firm will be involved in a project to identify bio-markers associated with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). The study is funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
Metabolon has discovered 13 molecules consistently found in patients with ALS. Together, these molecules serve as biomarkers which help identify ALS for the purpose of early detection and medical intervention. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Metabolon researchers will work together on Metabolic Signatures in ALS, a study that will lead to a more rapid and accurate diagnostic test using biomarkers found in cerebrospinal fluid and blood. Metabolon is dedicated to the application of metabolomics, a new scientific approach for the discovery and development of drugs and the early diagnosis of disease states. Metabolomics is the study of the small molecules in an organism. Small molecules include glucose, cholesterol, ATP and lipid signaling molecules. These molecules are the product of cellular metabolism. The Metabolome refers to the catalogue of those molecules in a specific organism, in this case, the human metabolome. "This is a continuation of Metabolon's focus to find a faster diagnostic process for ALS that will lead to more effective therapy and potentially new therapeutics in the treatment of this devastating disease," said Dr. John Ryals, president and CEO of Metabolon. Metabolon's believes its new technology will help the company develop safer compounds, identify diagnostic markers for earlier disease detection, and shorten the time for drugs to get to market. See related articles in AgeVenture archives. AgeVenture Gerontrepreneur Features AgeVenture Lifestyle Columns AgeVenture Headline News |
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