Abstract

Biomarkers in Personalized Health(care), from Discovery to Clinical Diagnostics.

Alain Van Gool, Head of Biomarkers in Personalised Healthcare, TNO

Personalized healthcare is based on the combination of a person's genetic and biochemical profile, clinical symptoms, lifestyle, context, values, norms and personal needs. Part of this holistic healthcare model are the molecular biomarkers that indicate risk, presence and progression of disease.  The ability to analyse the genome at reasonable costs has revolutionized molecular diagnosis, whereas the combination with functional genomics (proteomics, glycomics, metabolomics) and imaging further extends such personalized diagnostics. However, to maximize the impact of these molecular biomarker approaches they have to be combined with non-molecular indicators of health and disease, jointly reflecting the biological state of the system. Such personal profiles can only be generated with full participation of the person/patient as a partner in the healthcare model. If done well, it enables early interventions and maintenance of health to really achieve person-centred healthcare innovation.