Biomarkers

Indicators of biological characteristics and of specific disease states, or biomarkers, are critical to applications ranging from biomedicine to biofuels, forensics, and security. Biomarkers allow for the early detection and treatment of medical conditions, accelerate drug development, and provide guidance for therapy design. Biomarker research also seeks development of new biofuel technologies and security applications.

SRI was an early proponent of using biomarkers across disciplines. For example, we were first to report an intensity-based, label-free method for differential protein profiling.

Few organizations offer SRI’s breadth and depth: our work ranges from handheld devices to novel biological assays, powerful databases, clean technology solutions, and more.

Our current research focuses on:

Biomarker Discovery, Identification, and Validation

  • Modeling the EEG markers of cognitive impairment

  • Salivary biomarkers (DNA, RNA and cortisol) in determining life stress and nicotine dependence

  • Identification of biomarker signatures for infectious diseases such as Aspergillosis

  • Identification of biomarkers to predict microbicide safety

  • Proteomics studies related to tropical diseases and host-vector-pathogen interfaces

  • Oncology diagnostics for therapeutic interventions in cancer treatment, novel glycomics assays to detect and diagnose cancer

  • Pharmacogenetics of nicotine addiction and treatment

Diagnostic, Detection, and Instrumentation Development

  • Point-of-care diagnostics for parasitic infection

  • Rare cell detection

  • Ultrasensitive and multiplexed diagnostics

  • Radiation biodosimetry

  • Vital signs monitoring

  • Ophthalmology image tool to detect glaucoma

Bioinformatics

  • BIOSPICE systems biology tool for computational modeling

Projects

row of vials containing glowing material

In a nuclear or radiological incident, first responders must quickly measure the radiation exposure of a large number of individuals, since treatment options are radiation dose-dependent and time-sensitive. SRI is developing a biodosimeter to meet this critical challenge.

scientist drawing a chemical structure

SRI is developing a novel point-of-care tool for the early detection of devastating diseases.

Predicting individuals' vulnerability to nicotine dependence could identify factors in genes and the environment that help to explain the success or failure of attempts to prevent tobacco use and addiction.

Press Releases

Joseph Rogers

In his career, Rogers has focused on age-related neurologic diseases. He is best known for showing that inflammatory responses occur in almost all major age-related brain disorders and cause substantial damage, with his seminal paper in the area receiving nearly 1,200 citations to date.

building in Michigan

The Michigan Strategic Fund approved the Center of Innovation designation and $5 million in initial funding for SRI Biosciences to open a Phase 1 clinical trial facility that will address unmet medical needs.

SRI In the News

Fighting Deadly Parasitic Infections with a UV Flashlight

This video interview with Ellen Beaulieu, a medicinal chemist at SRI International, shows how SRI researchers are using fluorescent dyes and a simple ultraviolet flashlight to create a test that can detect parasitic infections in human beings.

Events