Biomarkers in the age of omics: time for a systems biology approach.

ABSTRACT: Limitations to biomarker discovery are not only technical or bioinformatic but conceptual as well. In our attempt to offer a solution, we are highlighting three issues that we think are limiting progress in biomarkers discovery. First, the confusion stemming from the imposition of a pathology-type immunohistochemical marker (IHCM) concept on omics data without fully understanding the characteristics and limitations of IHCMs as applied in clinical pathology. Second, the lack of serious consideration for the scope of disease heterogeneity. Third, the refusal of the biomedical community to borrow from other biological disciplines their well established methods for dealing with heterogeneity. Therefore, real progress in biomarker discovery will be attained when we recognize that an omics bioma

SUBMITTER: Abu-Asab MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3060038 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature