Quantitative Metabolite Biomarker Analysis in Human Tissues

We combine pathology and metabolomics to discover and implement new biomarkers of human disease.  We primarily focus on on cytology specimens (Cytabolomics©). Metabolites are small molecules that store energy, carry messages, and serve as building blocks.  Changes in ways glucose is used for energy were early discoveries about cancer.  Genes, diet, drugs, and activity all rapidly affect metabolism. We do histology and quantitate metabolites using a single intact human tissue biopsy.  In an era of great progress in genetics and medicine, it is easy to assume that large amounts of tissue are available for increasingly powerful testing.  Trends in radiology and oncology are in the opposite direction.  A biopsy the width of a pencil lead can be used to start definitive treatment, often shrinking tumors, before surgical treatment.  The unexposed or treatment naïve tumor available for testing is therefore small and getting smaller. 

Cytabolomics©