Biomarkers

Description

Biomarkers are key molecular or cellular events that link a specific environmental exposure to a health outcome. Biomarkers play an important role in understanding the relationships between exposure to environmental chemicals, the development of chronic human diseases, and the identification of subgroups that are at increased risk for disease. Much progress has been made in identifying and validating new biomarkers that can be used in population-based studies of environmental disease.

As part of the new Genes and Environment Initiative, the NIEHS is supporting the development of new technologies that will enable scientists to study how the body responds to environmental agents. Such technologies include sensitive biomarkers that can measure subtle changes in inflammation, oxidative damage, and other pathways that can lead to disease.

Health Studies & Clinical Trials

• Biomarkers in Oxidative Stress Study (BOSS)(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/databases/bosstudy/index.cfm)
• ClinicalTrials.gov listing of NIEHS Biomarkers studies (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/search;jsessionid=82007F32E26B6D1CBC30E537E6C47A5F?term=NIEHS+biomarkers&submit=Search)

What NIEHS is Doing on Biomarkers

• Epigenetic Markers Change Over a Lifetime   http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/sep/2008/fallin.cfm
• Mapping Gene Expression in the Human Liver (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/sep/2008/gene_exp.cfm)
• Oxidative Stress Marker Identified in Stroke Victims (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/sep/2008/oxidative.cfm)
• DNA Damage in Fish as Biomarkers for Exposure and Effects of Organic Pollutants(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/sep/2006/fishmark.cfm)
• Expression of DNA Repair Genes is Sensitive Marker for Oxidative Stress(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/sep/2004/oxstress.cfm)
• Gene-Environment Interaction: Effect of Polymorphisms on Biomarkers in Coal Miners(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/sep/2003/polymorf.cfm)
• Gene Variation Predicts Survival in Brain Cancer Patients(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/sep/2006/gbm.cfm)
• SBRP: Biomarkers(http://www-apps.niehs.nih.gov/sbrp/research/research3.cfm)
• SBRP: Biomarkers of Exposure to Hazardous Substances(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/sbrp/programs/Program_detail.cfm?Project_ID=P42ES4699)
• Urine Biomarkers of Benzene Metabolism: an Example of "Exposure Biology"(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/sep/2006/benzene.cfm)
• Use of Proteomics for Early Identification of Biological Effects of Benzene(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/sep/2005/benzene.cfm)

General Information

• Monitoring Environmental Exposures: Now It’s Personal(http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/114-9/focus.html)
• Signs of the Times: Biomarkers in Perspective(http://www.ehponline.org/docs/2006/114-12/focus-abs.html)

For Educators

• Build a Personal Sensor (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/docs/build-sensor.pdf)   (59KB)
• National Human Genome Research Institute: National DNA Day (http://www.genome.gov/10506367)
• Tracing the Origins of Autism: A Spectrum of New Studies (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/docs/autism-new-studies.pdf)   (159KB)

Related Topics

• Consumer Health Links: General Health(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/library/consumer/gen_health.cfm)

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