Clinical Diagnostics Directory

colorectal tumour markers Biochip array technology and colorectal tumour markers What are tumour markers? Tumour markers are substances produced by cancer cells and also sometimes by normal cells. They can be found in large amounts in the blood or urine of some patients with cancer. Less often, they can also be found in large amounts in the blood or urine of people who do not have cancer. There are many different kinds of tumour markers. Some are only produced by a single type of cancer, for example colorectal tumour markers. Others tumour markers can be produced by several types of cancer. Most tumour markers used today are proteins or parts of proteins. They are detected by combining the patient's blood or urine with antibodies made to react with that specific protein. Colorectal tumour markers can be quickly and easily detected with biochip array technology. To test for the presence of a tumour marker, the doctor will send a sample of blood or urine to a laboratory. Because many people normally have low levels of these markers in their blood or urine, the doctor will need to interpret the results carefully. The results of any tumour marker test should be considered with other laboratory test results and a thorough medical history and physical examination.

DNA chips Biochip array technology and DNA chips It is widely believed that thousands of genes and their products (i.e., RNA and proteins) in a given living organism function in a complicated and orchestrated way that creates the mystery of life. However, traditional methods in molecular biology generally work on a "one gene in one experiment" basis, which means that the throughput is very limited and the "whole picture" of gene function is hard to obtain. In the past several years, a new technology platform, called biochip array technology DNA chips, has attracted tremendous interests among biologists. This technology promises to monitor the whole genome on a single chip so that researchers can have a better picture of the interactions among thousands of genes simultaneously.

drug residues Biochip array technology is a new technology platform that is revolutionising the way we test for drug residues. Biochip array technology enables the simultaneous detection of a wide range of drug residues from a single sample in various matrices. The presence of drug or antibiotic residues in milk and meat is illegal. Milk supplies containing detectable concentrations are not acceptable. Unless drug residues are avoided to protect milk's reputation as a healthy, safe food, the market becomes jeopardized. Consumers want to be confident that their food supply is free of contamination by herbicides, pesticides, drugs or antibiotics. There is concern that small amounts of certain antimicrobial agents may significantly shift the resistance patterns in the microbial population in the human intestinal tract. Biochip array technology is the ideal platform for measuring small amounts of drug residues.

oesophageal cancer markers Biochip array technology and oesophageal cancer markers There are two major types of oesophageal carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma, each with different risk factors and epidemiologies. Oesophageal cancer markers can be detected by biochip array technology. Proteomics science has identified a number of differentially expressed proteins in the tumours of patients with oesophageal cancer, and the related disease, Barrett’s oesophagus. As with the lung cancer markers, many of these tumour proteins cause the patient’s immune system to develop an antibody response and the detection of these antibodies, oesophageal cancer markers in the blood of patients with oesophageal cancer may provide an early diagnostic test.

proteome chip Biochip array technology features biochips (proteome chips), which are used as reaction platforms for multiple immunoassays on a patient sample. Gene expression microarrays, known as gene chips or DNA chips, let scientists discover a huge amount of information. Proteome chips, on the other hand, are slightly different. Once the cellular machinery receives instructions from the DNA, proteome chips will be able to tell researchers which proteins were produced in what forms and which other molecules they bind As the biological components acting in cell function are mostly proteins, we must study the proteome - the proteins expressed from a genome - to fully understand a living organism. Purified proteins can now be immobilised at high density on flat surfaces to give 'protein chips' or ‘biochips’, which will aid high-throughput characterisation of the biochemical and functional properties of cellular proteins.

stress markers Biochip array technology and human stress testing What is stress? This term refers to any type of bodily reaction to a mental, physical, emotional or social stimulus that we respond to in a way that changes the way we feel, think or perform our daily tasks. One example is change, which can be stressful whether it is bad or good. Another example is worry, which produces stress. Stress is not something that is easily avoided in life, and there are many causes, which can affect the body in physical and psychological ways. Some other examples of stressor include: Pressure to perform or deadlines at work, changing careers, moving, relationship troubles, financial problems and even preparing for the holidays. There are also every day sources of stress that are less obvious, such as: noise, crowded places, traffic jams, pain, extreme temperatures, having a baby or even adopting one. Lack of sleep, illness or even being overworked can cause stress on the body.

tumour markers Biochip array technology is the ideal platform for the detection of tumour markers and tumour monitoring. Tumour markers indicate biological changes that signal the existence of malignancy in a host organism. These substances can usually be detected in elevated quantities in the blood, urine, or body tissues of patients with certain types of cancer. Tumour markers are produced by the tumour itself or by the body in response to the presence of cancer or certain benign conditions. Following the development of monoclonal antibodies, an array of new tumour markers has been discovered during the past 2 decades.

antimicrobial tests Biochip array technology is the ideal technology platform for antimicrobial tests. Antimicrobials are a class of substances that destroy or inhibit the growth of bacteria and include synthetic and natural chemical substances. Antimicrobials have transformed our ability to treat many infectious diseases that were killers only a few decades ago. The increasing use of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and agriculture has resulted in many pathogens developing resistance to these powerful drugs. All major groups of pathogens — viruses, fungi, parasites, and bacteria — can become resistant to antimicrobials.

breast cancer DNA testing Biochip array technology and breast cancer DNA testing What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is a malignancy of the breast, usually involving the ductal or lobular tissues (the tissues involved in milk production). A small percentage of breast cancers tend to cluster in families. These cancers can be caused by mutations in particular genes, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2. In some cases, genetic syndromes involving other cancers also include an increased risk of breast cancer. Early breast cancer usually does not cause pain and may exhibit no noticeable symptoms. As the cancer progresses, signs and symptoms can include a lump or thickening in or near the breast; a change in the size or shape of the breast; nipple discharge, tenderness, or retraction (turning inward); and skin irritation, dimpling, or scaliness. These changes can also be caused by conditions other than breast cancer.

cardiac tests Biochip array technology and cardiac tests Cardiac biomarkers: What are they? Cardiac biomarkers are enzymes, proteins and hormones that are associated with heart function, damage or failure. Some of the tests are specific for the heart while others are also elevated with skeletal muscle damage. Cardiac biomarkers are used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes and are frequently ordered by doctors when someone comes into the Emergency Room complaining of symptoms, such as chest pain, pressure, nausea, and shortness of breath. These cardiac tests are ordered, along with other laboratory and non-laboratory tests, to detect heart failure (which is often a chronic, progressive condition affecting the ability of the heart to fill with blood and pump efficiently) and the acute coronary syndromes (ACS) as well as to help determine prognosis for people who have had a heart attack. ACS is a group of symptoms that reflect a sudden decrease in the amount of blood and oxygen, also termed ‘ischemia,’ reaching the heart. This decrease is frequently due to either a narrowing of the coronary arteries (atherosclerosis or vessel spasm) or unstable plaques, which can cause a blood clot (thrombus) and blockage of blood flow. If the oxygen supply is low, it can cause angina (pain); if blood flow is reduced, it can cause death of heart cells (called myocardial infarction or heart attack) and can lead to death of the affected heart muscle cells and to permanent damage and scarring of the heart.

cDNA expression Biochip Array Technology: cDNA expression Overview of protein production DNA is located in the cell nucleus and contains the genetic information to produce proteins. Proteins are structural components of the cell and participate in all cellular and physiological functions. The DNA sequence is transcribed to produce nascent messenger RNA (mRNA). The nascent mRNA contains introns, sections that do not encode proteins. Along with other modifications the nascent mRNA is spliced to remove these noncoding intron sections and join the two free ends together to produce mature mRNA. The mature mRNA is transported out of the cell nucleus into the cytoplasm for translation into protein. The mRNA sequence is used as a template to construct a protein in the ribosome. mRNA may be used repeatedly to produce several proteins, however it is rapidly broken down by ribonuclease.

cell adhesion molecules Biochip array technology is the ideal platform for cell adhesion molecules research. Most cells are decorated with several types of proteins that allow their binding to other cells or to the extracellular matrix. Cell surface adhesion molecules play vital roles in numerous cellular processes. Some of these include: cell growth, differentiation, embryogenesis, immune cell transmigration and response and cancer metastasis. Adhesion molecules are also capable of transmitting information from the extracellular matrix to the cell. As you would expect, all adhesion molecules are integral membrane proteins that have cytoplasmic, transmembrane and extracellular domains. Biochip array technology allows these complex molecules to be examined simultaneously. The cytoplasmic tail often interacts with cytoskeletal proteins, which serve as the actual anchor within the cell. The extracellular domains of adhesion molecules extend from the cell and bind to other cells or matrix by binding to other adhesion molecules of the same type (homophilic binding), binding to other adhesion molecules of a different type (heterophilic binding) or binding to an intermediary 'linker' which itself binds to other adhesion molecules.

cytokines and growth factors Biochip array technology and cytokines and growth factors Cytokines and growth factors are small, multifunctional proteins that play critical roles in controlling development and regulating the body's responses to disease and infection. Among the clinical applications for cytokine and growth factor research are cancer immunotherapy, wound healing, allergy relief, animal health, treatment of autoimmune disorders, anti-viral therapy, obesity and disease diagnosis. With all of these potential benefits, it is not surprising that pharmaceutical, biotechnology companies and biochip array technology manufacturers are spending large sums of money to find new ways to analyse and modulate the activities of cytokines and growth factors. Biochip array technology is one of the new technology platforms on the market.

gastric testing Biochip Array Technology: gastric testing The stomach The stomach is part of the digestive system, digesting food to convert it into nutrients. It has four main functions: • Storage of food so that a large meal can be digested over an extended period. • Digestion of food by chemical (gastric acid) and enzymatic (e.g. pepsin) means. • Mechanical digestion by vigorous contractions to mix and liquefy food. • Gradual release of liquefied food (chyme) into the duodenum. The stomach provides an acidic environment where the food is mixed with digestive enzymes and mechanically agitated to break it down. Food arriving in the stomach causes the release of the hormone gastrin and therefore gastric acid and the enzyme pepsin. Gastric acid is produced in the stomach. It consists of hydrochloric acid and salts. The effect of the gastric acid is to denature proteins for break down by pepsin. Gastric testing is used to diagnose and manage a number of gastric ailments including gastric cancer.

growth factors testing Cytokines and growth factors are small, multifunctional proteins that play critical roles in controlling development and regulating the body's responses to disease and infection. Among the clinical applications for cytokine and growth factor research are cancer immunotherapy, wound healing, allergy relief, animal health, treatment of autoimmune disorders, anti-viral therapy, obesity and disease diagnosis. With all of these potential benefits, it is not surprising that pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are spending large sums of money to find new ways to analyse and modulate the activities of cytokines and growth factors testing

growth promoters testing Biochip array technology and growth promoters testing Randox have produced biochip array technology systems and biochip arrays for the detection of drug abuse in meat production and sport, this will help facilitate in the detection of a wide variety of growth-promoting compounds such as Hormones, beta-Agonists, Growth Promoters and Steroids. What are veterinary residues? Residues of chemicals or antibiotics given to an animal during its life can leave a residue in the flesh after slaughter. Hormones to promote growth Now illegal in the EU - but may still be given (often to cattle) especially from America to promote fast weight gain. Residues of Clenbuterol are very difficult to trace but tend to concentrate in the liver, which is one part of the animal's carcass randomly tested after slaughter. An alternative promoter is testosterone, which can be detected because it is in a different form to natural testosterone (male sex hormone). These are just two of the compounds detected by growth promoters testing.

lab tests on a chip Biochip array technology and lab tests on a chip Many research and development groups in academia and in industry are working on the design of chips that can function as micro-labs. One form of lab tests on a chip are biochips for clinical and research applications. Randox biochips make it possible to do biomedical tests and manipulations of biological materials less expensive and more widely available. Biochip array technology will lower the cost of medical testing, lower the cost and speed the rate of progress of basic research and allow new types of therapies to be developed. By using biochips, the cost of labour and materials for doing biochemical tests is lowered.

ovarian cancer DNA testing Biochip array technology and ovarian cancer DNA testing Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells, the body's basic unit of life. To understand cancer, it is helpful to know about normal cells and what happens when they become cancerous. The body is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells grow, divide and produce more cells when the body needs them. This orderly process helps to keep the body healthy. Sometimes, however, cells keep dividing when new cells are not needed. These extra cells form a mass of tissue, called a growth or tumour. Tumours can be benign or malignant.

proteomics biochip testing Proteomics is the science of structure and function of the complete protein content of biological samples. Lab-on-a-Chip systems are based on proteomics biochip testing to efficiently separate and analyse the proteome to enable rapid parallel analysis of the many of proteins at a time. For research, diagnostics and therapeutic purposes, the attachment of proteins to a biochip surface in the ordered manner of an array so that more than one protein binds at a time is a burgeoning field because of the many possible applications. The technology is similar to that of the DNA microarray. Applications include protein expression profiling, drug discovery and diagnostics

stomach cancer testing Biochip Array Technology: stomach cancer testing The stomach The stomach is part of the digestive system, digesting food to convert it into nutrients. It has four main functions: • Storage of food so that a large meal can be digested over an extended period. • Digestion of food by chemical (gastric acid) and enzymatic (e.g. pepsin) means. • Mechanical digestion by vigorous contractions to mix and liquefy food. • Gradual release of liquefied food (chyme) into the duodenum. The stomach provides an acidic environment where the food is mixed with digestive enzymes and mechanically agitated to break it down. Food arriving in the stomach causes the release of the hormone gastrin and therefore gastric acid and the enzyme pepsin. Gastric acid is produced in the stomach. It consists of hydrochloric acid and salts. The effect of the gastric acid is to denature proteins for break down by pepsin. Click for information on stomach cancer and stomach cancer testing.

human stress testing Biochip array technology and human stress testing It is said that this is the age of stress. We are exposed to various chemical, biological, physical, and social stressors, such as toxic chemicals (including dioxin and endocrine disrupting chemicals), air pollutants (diesel exhaust gas and particles), viruses, radiation, ultraviolet light, noise, overwork, anxiety, insomnia and depression. There is now increasing evidence that shows the involvement of such stress in a variety of disorders, diseases, and ageing. It is a matter of the utmost importance to study the biological effects of such stress and develop means to carry out human stress testing.