MANASSAS, Va.—-A new alliance to accelerate biomarker validation and forge new breakthroughs in early disease detection has been launched by scientists at George Mason University’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine and Massachusetts-based Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.’s Biomarker Research Initiatives in Mass Spectrometry Center, or BRIMS Center. 

The major goal of this innovative collaboration is to develop tools and processes that aid in the efficient and expedited validation and verification of biomarker candidates — biochemical features found in body fluids that can be used to measure disease risk or progression, as well as the potential effectiveness of certain treatments. Results may have a groundbreaking impact on early disease diagnosis, therapeutic efficacy, and drug discovery, and may lead to direct clinical applications for patients suffering from cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. “Biomarker validation and verification are the bottlenecks in the entire research community,” explains Lance Liotta, CAPMM co-director. “We believe that this project’s powerful combination of tools, talent and unique methods will lead to key advancements in protein biomarker research. We hope our work with Thermo Fisher Scientific will enable the development of workflows and methods that will ease and possibly eliminate this challenge.” The research team, led by CAPMM co-directors Liotta and Emanuel Petricoin III, along with Mark Ross, director of the center’s Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, is housed in the center’s CAP/CLIA Clinical Proteomics Laboratory, which is outfitted with the industry-leading Thermo Scientific Quantum ULTRA triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Once a newly discovered biomarker is validated in the proteomics center at Mason, it will be sent to the BRIMS Center for independent cross-validation, a critical process to increase confidence and acceptance of results across the scientific community. Both laboratories will use identical Thermo Scientific mass spectrometers to perform the analyses. “We’re focused on developing a robust, reproducible, protein biomarker analytical workflow that could shave years off the process of translating biomarkers into validated clinical diagnostic laboratory tests,” says Petricoin. “The process of delivering new rigorously validated biomarkers for diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring will greatly benefit from a mass spectrometry-driven high-throughput workflow using the triple quadrupole platform.” “Many laboratories are working on biomarker discovery for disease diagnosis and prediction,” Ross says. “This technology gives us a faster way to approach validation and verification by eliminating steps that were previously necessary.” Along with the benefit of industry-leading technology, unique elements of the collaboration include Mason’s exceptional access to tissue and blood samples, as well as direct access to patients, resulting from numerous collaborative research initiatives with regional, national and international partners. In addition, the university’s CAP/CLIA Clinical Proteomics Laboratory, operating in compliance with stringent guidelines established by the College of American Pathologists and the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments, is the first in the nation to be dedicated solely to proteomics research. These guidelines allow the implementation of unique clinical trials and diagnostic tests within the research environment. “This pioneering work holds promise to break down longstanding barriers in protein biomarker research, and we’re pleased that our technology and expertise are making it possible,” says Marc N. Casper, chief operating officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Our central mission at the BRIMS Center is to enable and support innovative projects that pave new ground in science, and this partnership perfectly aligns with that goal.”

George Mason University, located in the heart of Northern Virginia’s technology corridor near Washington, D.C., is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. With strong undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering, information technology, biotechnology and health care, Mason prepares its students to succeed in the work force and meet the needs of the region and the world. Mason professors conduct groundbreaking research in areas such as cancer, climate change, information technology and the biosciences, and Mason’s Center for the Arts brings world-renowned artists, musicians and actors to its stage. Its School of Law is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 40 law schools in the United States.