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For immediate release
August 13, 2007
Midwest Proteomics announces partnership to study autism spectrum disorder
Richmond, Va. – Virginia BioTechnology Research Park tenant, Midwest Proteomics, has partnered with the Virginia Treatment Center for Children at Virginia Commonwealth University to discover new gene-based diagnostics for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
ASD represents a number of pervasive developmental disorders characterized by widespread abnormalities of social interactions and communication, as well as severely restricted interests and highly repetitive behavior. According to a recent report from the CDC, one in 152 children is diagnosed with ASD, an increasing problem which it stated is an “urgent public health issue.” Because of this, clinicians are now faced with a large population of children and teenagers with ASD who require accurate and comprehensive assessment and effective treatments.
According to Sterling Thomas, chief executive officer for Midwest Proteomics, understanding the biological underpinnings, including genetic characterization of this spectrum of disorders, will directly impact its diagnosis and treatment.
“The current information on ASD is based on biological pathways that are not specific for autism-associated protein networks, but rather for general hypothetical cells,” commented Thomas. “Identification of ASD-specific biomarkers and gene regulatory pathways will give clinicians the tools necessary to accurately assess a patient’s prognosis and allow for the earliest posible intervention to correct behavioral abnomalities associated with the disease.”
In collaboration with VCU’s Virginia Treatment Center for Children, the company will be working to develop a network of biomarkers and gene-regulatory pathways associated with progression of ASD using whole-blood samples from individuals disgnosed with ASD. The research team will use Midwest Proteomics’ Network BuilderTM technology to identify genetic changes that occur in each state of the spectrum. Company founder and president, Dr. Dennis Peffley, emphasized that the innovative aspect of this work is in the computational analyses and simulation in combination with laboratory-based testing to decipher novel pathways and protein interactions that contrubute to the progression of ASD.
“We expect that the results will fundamentally advance the understanding of ASD by clarifying which symptoms of autism are associated with identifiable biological markers,” stated Thomas. “We also anticipate that our findings can be used clinically to facilitiate diagnosis and to assess individual susceptiblity to ASD.”
About the Park:
The Park is currently home to a unique mix of more than 55 technology companies, research institutes affiliated with the VCU Medical Center and major state and national medical laboratories. After completion of the new $350 million Philip Morris USA Center for Research and Technology, the Park will encompass 1.2 million square feet of space in nine buildings and employ more than 2,000 industry professionals.
Contact:
Nicky Colomb
Virginia BioTechnology Research Park
Phone: (804) 828-6884
E-mail: ncolomb@vabiotech.com
Web site: www.vabiotech.com
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