building better science

Transcription

1 integrated biology at agilent building better science

2 Integrated Biology: The Quest The complexity of real biology continues to present enormous challenges to researchers seeking answers that can improve our quality of life. Genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics are widely used throughout industry and academia, and they have greatly contributed to our understanding across many areas of discovery. However, when viewed in isolation, each often lacks the statistical power needed to uncover meaningful correlations amid the high levels of noise such experiments typically generate, and can offer only a portion of the full insight required to confront complex biological challenges. The survival rates for pancreatic cancer have not significantly improved over the past 20 years. [Multi omics] technology will allow us to rapidly identify new targets that drive the formation, progression, and maintenance of pancreatic cancer. Discoveries from this research will also lead to the development of effective early detection biomarkers and novel therapeutic interventions. Dr. Ronald A. DePinho, President University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

3 for Deeper Biological Insight No single omics can explain how a heart beats. Or why it stops. NO SINGLE OMICS CAN DESCRIBE THE COMPLEXITY OF CELL DIVISION. OR THE UNCHECKED GROWTH OF CANCER. NO SINGLE OMICS CAN UNLOCK THE SECRETS OF THE BRAIN. OR THE MYSTERY OF ALZHEIMER S DISEASE. Genomics Transcriptomics Proteomics Metabolomics

4 for Deeper Biological Insight Answers Emerge Through Integrated PATHWAY Analysis In a recent review discussing how to overcome this challenge, Ideker and colleagues 1 identify two ways to increase signal-to-noise in omics studies, leading to groundbreaking new insights: Incorporate prior knowledge about the biological system such as known interactions and pathways Integrate complementary layers of data from the genome, transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, and interactome At Agilent, we agree, and these principles form the foundation of our Integrated Biology solution. Agilent is the preferred partner for supporting every step of multi omics Integrated Biology projects, from data acquisition to data analysis and visualization. Moreover, Agilent is the only provider who can offer such a solution we continue to lead the industry in the development and implementation of the tools and resources necessary to enable powerful analysis through Integrated Biology. Research centers around the world are already applying the power of Agilent s Integrated Biology solution to the understanding of important biological problems: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Weill Cornell Medical College Baylor College of Medicine The Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences Institut Curie The University of Oxford Stanford University School of Medicine Harvard Medical School University of Washington University of Michigan Medical School Massachusetts General Hospital National University of Singapore 1. Ideker, T., Dutkowski, J. & Hood, L. Boosting signal-to-noise in complex biology: prior knowledge is power. Cell 144: (2011).

5 Omics Data Viewed From A Pathway Perspective Integrated Biology isn t simply a hardware solution. It isn t simply a software solution, nor is it simply an approach or a conceptual framework. In fact, integrated biology isn t even new it s how nature has always worked, through pathways that represent the combined actions and interactions of myriad genomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and transcriptomic factors. What is new is the uniquely powerful combination of world-leading technology platforms and robust informatics that can now be brought to bear in a truly integrated way in order to gain deep insight into clinically relevant biological questions, using the concept of the biological pathway as a guiding principle. What s also new are the groundbreaking results that leading researchers are already producing by applying Agilent Integrated Biology. A B Overlaying map information and satellite imagery using a set of common geospatial coordinates, creates visually appealing and highly informative hybrid maps. Similarly, overlaying multiple omics measurements against a common reference of cellular pathways puts the data in a rich biological context that also incorporates and leverages prior knowledge. A team led by Dr. Robert Gerszten, Director of Clinical and Translational Research at Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Heart, Vascular, and Stroke Care, has been generating metabolite and protein profiles of clinically relevant human samples, including those from the Framingham Heart Study. By applying Integrated Biology analysis to this metabolomics data, along with existing genomics, transcriptomics, and clinical information from these samples, Dr. Gerszten hopes to identify, understand, and prioritize new biomarker candidates for cardiovascular and other related metabolic diseases, such as diabetes.

6 Learn more Find a local Agilent customer center U.S. and Canada agilent_inquiries@agilent.com Europe info_agilent@agilent.com Asia Pacific inquiry_lsca@agilent.com For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. This information is subject to change without notice. Agilent Technologies, Inc Printed in the USA June 1, EN