Molecular Diagnostics

Biomarkers are endogenous molecules specific to certain diseases. They can either be found in the diseased organ or in body fluids such as serum, urine and saliva. Complex diseases and cancer are associated with extensive genetic changes causing complex effects on gene regulation, expression and translation. To improve disease diagnostics and management multivariate analyses of different biomolecules are necessary to account for the complexity of the disease. We have long lasting expertise in genome-wide screenings for elucidating changed profiles of RNA (mRNA and smallRNA), DNA (structural changes and mutations), and especially in DNA methylation and serum autoantibody-based analyses. Bioinformatics data analyses from genome-wide discoveries identifies candidate marker sets. Using customized batch-processing software tools, targeted assays are designed and used for marker validation to develop minimal-invasive diagnostics. We assist clinical and industrial partners in project planning and act as technology provider and assay developer. Together we set up appropriate projects to answer diagnostically relevant questions and to meet the challenges of translational research.