Multiplex Assays in Translational Medicine: Technologies, Applications, and Future Directions

CHI Insight Pharma Reports
February 1, 2008
150 Pages - SKU: CHI1691628
License type:
The development and growth of assay technologies has pushed translational medicine into a category unto itself. In a broad perspective on this field, this new report:
  • Defines translational medicine by giving some historical background as well as providing personal definitions from experts in the field
  • Discusses the evolution of assay technologies
  • Reviews currently available assay technologies that apply directly to translational medicine
  • Describes and evaluates current applications of these technologies
  • Provides case studies of clinicians currently using this technology in their research
  • Discusses future directions of assay technologies for translational medicine
  • Gives input from the FDA on translation medicine and assay technologies
  • Provides interviews from experts in the field of both translational medicine and specific assay technologies
  • Profiles premier companies active in the field
Assay technologies have been evolving since scientists first discovered they could measure glucose, insulin, and several hormones in the blood to help them diagnose disease. Early instruments such as the Ames Reflectance Meter, used for detecting glucose levels, have morphed into such sophisticated systems as flow cytometers. The Human Genome Project provided the basics for researchers to launch into the field of human genomics and they needed the tools to accomplish this. DNA microarrays allowed for massively parallel gene expression analyses. Scientists soon discovered that while the genomewide assays were extremely valuable, there were genes of interest that they had difficulty measuring when they got hundreds of data points from a microarray. Low- to mid-density assays have allowed scientists to pinpoint the genetic code for a variety of uses, from genetic heredity studies to drug metabolism and patient stratification.