New blood test reveals risk of developing different diseases in 'new frontier of science'
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Scientists working on a blood test which could tell us our risk of developing different diseases a decade in advance have declared a “new frontier of science”. A groundbreaking study of half a million Brits is analysing how levels of up to 5,400 proteins circulating in our body change in mid-to-late life and influence how we age and what diseases we develop from Alzheimer's to heart disease and multiple sclerosis. The UK Biobank is leading the world in the new discipline of “proteomics” after 500,000 participants gave a blood sample when they joined and 100,000 of them have now provided a second sample up to 15 years later.
These new “protein signatures” will be combined with participants’ whole genome sequencing, MRI scans and detailed family and lifestyle data to map the causes of disease. The data will now be shared with 14 leading biopharmaceutical companies who will use it to develop drugs to prevent, treat and cure disease.
Professor Naomi Allen, chief scientist at the UK Biobank, said: “Proteomics provides an incredibly detailed snapshot of health. This new frontier of science can unveil how genetics and external factors – like diet, exercise and climate – interact, and will help to pinpoint the key causes of diseases and identify drug targets.
"It has already led to important scientific discoveries, such as identifying proteins that can help to diagnose disease – including multiple sclerosis – and helping to identify those at higher risk of developing dementia and cancer many years before clinical diagnosis. Over 19,000 researchers around the world are using UK Biobank data; adding proteomic data to everything else we hold will enable scientists to make rapid discoveries to help diagnose and treat life-altering diseases.”.
